Hayes searching for Happy Valley success ahead of Ka Ying Rising’s Group 1 return

David Hayes hopes Soleil Fighter can lay the platform for a memorable week by building an unassailable lead in the DBS x Manulife Million Challenge at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (19 February) as the dual Hong Kong champion trainer prepares to unleash Ka Ying Rising in the HK$13 million G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (23 February).

Soleil Fighter contests the Class 3 Kap Shui Mun Handicap (1650m) and, after a last-start win, leads the DBS x Manulife Million Challenge with 46 points from I Can (42) and Eternal Fortune (40) ahead of next week’s (26 February) finale.

Soleil Fighter could seal overall victory if he makes it two wins in a row and two of tomorrow night’s entrants – Eternal Fortune and Gustosisimo (27) – fail to score under the competition format of 15 points for a win, six for second, four for third and three for fourth.

“He’s in great shape and he’s leading the (DBS x Manulife Million) Challenge and if he could win, he would seal it – we’re hoping he can win,” Hayes said. “He’s a very willing horse and he can lead or take a sit but if you hold him up too much, he pulls. And, if he pulls, he’s vulnerable.

“He’s got a lovely barrier draw again (gate six) and he can roll in the first three. If he’s left alone in front, he’ll go in front. If not, he’ll follow the pace. I’ve concentrated at Happy Valley for the Challenge and he’s raced well all season and we’ll probably freshen him a little bit and train him as a Sha Tin horse later in the season.”

Contested between September and February, the DBS x Manulife Million Challenge is open to horses in Class 3 and above with prizemoney of HK$1 million for the winner, HK$350,000 for second and HK$150,000 for third. Soleil Fighter has started seven times in the series for two wins, two seconds and a third.

Harry Bentley is optimistic a more favourable barrier will enable Young Arrow to break through for a deserved Hong Kong win when Douglas Whyte’s galloper clashes with Eternal Fortune in the Class 3 Ma Wan Handicap (1200m).

“Two big runs he’s had from less than ideal draws, we’ve had to accept it and go back and he’s made up really good ground in the straight,” Bentley said of the former Singapore gelding’s two recent third placings from barriers 12 and 10, respectively.

“I just hope with an easier trip from that draw (gate two), we can save up a bit of energy and do his best. He’s a horse that’s getting better all the time.”

James Orman makes his Hong Kong debut tomorrow night aboard Francis Lui-trained Magic Beans in the Class 4 Kwai Chung Handicap (1200m) as the Australian starts a short-term stint.

“I’m excited to be here. I just want to keep building on our rides and hopefully I can get some support. I’m just looking forward to the support. I know it’s only six weeks, but I’m keen to make the most of that time,” Orman said.

Leading the 2024/25 Hong Kong trainers’ championship with 31 wins from Pierre Ng (30) and Danny Shum (29), John Size (28) and Francis Lui (27), Hayes is supremely confident Ka Ying Rising will cope his first attempt at 1400m in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup under Karis Teetan.

“He’s great, his trial was terrific. Karis was happy with him and he’s got back to Hong Kong and he’ll do a bit of striding work tomorrow and I’m looking forward to the first time at 1400. He gives the impression with his ability to relax mid-race that he will handle it,” Hayes said.

“If he relaxes, I think his sprint will look even better and I expect him to – he’s been trained to relax – but let’s just see. You never know until they run the distance. My feeling is that he will love 1400.”

Bidding for a 10th straight victory after breaking his own track record in the HK$13 million G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin on 19 January, Ka Ying Rising faces last season’s winner California Spangle, Beauty Eternal, Beauty Joy, Helios Express, Howdeepisyourlove, Invincible Sage, Red Lion, Patch Of Theta and Mugen.

The HK$13 million G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) is the other feature at Sunday’s meeting with Voyage Bubble vying for a fourth Group 1 triumph against Galaxy Patch, Chancheng Glory, Ensued, Happy Together, Straight Arron, Five G Patch, La City Blanche, Sword Point and Winning Dragon.

Wednesday night’s (19 February) nine-race Happy Valley meeting starts with the Class 5 Tsing Yi Handicap (1200m) at 6.35pm.