Derby Next for Rubylot after Dominant Hong Kong Classic Cup Triumph

[Wandering Eyes]

Dual Hong Kong champion trainer David Hayes immediately set his sights on the HK$26-million BMW Hong Kong Derby in three weeks' time with Rubylot (Aus), following a stellar performance from the son of Rubick (Aus) to win Sunday's HK$13-million Hong Kong Classic Cup at Sha Tin.

Settled at the rear of the field with only one behind through the early stages, Rubylot and Brenton Avdulla tracked Mickley (Ire) (Soldier's Call {GB}) into the straight, before angling into the clear and accelerating powerfully with a race-best 22.30-second sectional for the final 400 metres of the 1,800-metre contest. Atoning for a luckless sixth in the HK$13-million Hong Kong Classic Mile on his previous start, Rubylot overhauled the winner of that race, My Wish (Aus) (Flying Artie {Aus}), to win by three quarters of a length in a time of 1:46.29, with the fast-finishing Johannes Brahms (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) the same distance further back in third.

In clinching the second leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series, Rubylot improved his record to six wins and eight placings from 18 starts for his owners, the HK Football Club Horse Racing Syndicate, while taking his earnings to HK$14.5 million.

Now, all roads lead to the Hong Kong Derby, which Hayes last won in 2003 with Elegant Fashion (Aus) (Danewin {Aus}), who was the first filly to triumph in Hong Kong's most-coveted race since Corvette (Aus) (Biarritz {Ire}) in 1976.

“It would be very nice [to win another Hong Kong Derby],” said Hayes. “It's been a long time. It's one of the races everyone in Hong Kong wants to win. To my eye, he [Rubylot] was the strongest late and that's a good sign stepping up to the 2,000 metres. Being a Rubick you were always concerned, but he's out of a Dubawi mare and stoutly-bred on the dam side.

“You always look at this race to find the closers and that's a good pointer to the Derby. I don't think anyone ran home faster than him today. It was a brilliant sectional.”

The victory of Rubylot was the first leg of a treble on the card for jockey Avdulla, who was the still cursing the poor luck the pair endured when they finished sixth in the Hong Kong Classic Mile.

“Hayesey had the horse [Rubylot] spot on,” said Avdulla. “He had a nice run through and I was confident at the 250 [metres] he was going to get the job done. I've got no doubt if he drew a gate in the [Hong Kong Classic Mile] he would have gone very close. I was just back in no man's land and he still ran on well, so I was confident enough to stick with him to come to 1,800 metres.

“I thought the draw [barrier eight] was a little bit tricky again and, ideally, I would have been a bit closer. But it just didn't look any good after 50 [metres] so I just rode him quiet and my only decision was whether I go inside Mickley or around him. I just felt I was going good enough to get Mickley out of the way when I cornered and to his credit the horse found the line really well.”

 

Pedigree Notes

Bred in Australia by Woodpark Stud, Rubylot sold as a two-year-old for A$100,000 at the Inglis Ready2Race Sale. He is the third winner from four runners out of the Dubawi (Ire) mare Emirates Comfort (Ire) who, in turn, is out of the GI Beverly D. Stakes and G2 Prix de Malleret heroine Royal Highness (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}). Whilst Emirates Comfort retired as a a three-race maiden, Royal Highness is the dam of seven winners, including the G2 Prix Dollar and G2 Prix Hocquart scorer Free Port Lux (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}).

This is also the family of the GI Breeders' Cup Turf hero Yibir (GB) and the triple Group 1 winner Wild Illusion (GB). They are both by Dubawi (Ire) and out of the Listed scorer Rumh (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}), whose dam, Royal Dubai (Ger) (Dashing Blade {GB}), is a Group 3-winning half-sister to Royal Highness.

 

Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
HONG KONG CLASSIC CUP-Listed, HK$13,000,000, Sha Tin, 3-2, NH/SH4yo, 1800mT, 1:46.29, gd.
1–RUBYLOT (AUS), 126, g, 4, by Rubick (Aus)
      1st Dam: Emirates Comfort (Ire), by Dubawi (Ire)
      2nd Dam: Royal Highness (Ger), by Monsun (Ger)
      3rd Dam: Reem Dubai (Ire), by Nashwan
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. (A$100,000 HRA '22 INGOCT). O-HK Football Club Horse Racing Syndicate. B-Woodpark Stud (Aus). T-David Hayes. J-Brenton Avdulla. HK$7,280,000. Lifetime Record: 18-6-3-5, HK$14,546,001. Werk Nick Rating: F. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–My Wish (Aus), 126, g, 4, Flying Artie (Aus)–Set The Tone (Aus), by Reset (Aus). O-Ada Che Xiao Hong, Suki Tang Xianfang & Ruby Hui Like Sea. B-Mr. J Langridge (Aus). T-Mark Newnham. J-Luke Ferraris. HK$2,730,000.
3–Johannes Brahms (GB), 126, g, 4, Siyouni (Fr)–Illaunmore, by Shamardal. (200,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-Yau Kwok Fai. B-Chasemore Farm (GB). T-Pierre Ng. J-Karis Teetan. HK$1,495,000.
Margins: 3/4, 3/4, NK. Odds: 135-10, 42-10, 15-1.
Also Ran: Packing Angel (NZ), Steps Ahead (Aus), Stunning Peach (Ire), Packing Hermod (Aus), Californiatotality (Aus), Cap Ferrat (Aus), Divano (Aus), Mondial (SAf), Sky Trust (Aus), Noisy Boy (Aus), Mickley (Ire).
Click for the HKJC chart, PPs, and sectional timing. VIDEO.

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