Road to the Derby: Akashvani bids to make amends in Hong Kong Classic Cup

In the 10th instalment of The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Road to the Derby series, we run through David Hayes’ Four-Year-Old Classic Series team with a particular eye on Akashvani.

Hayes expects to be pinning his hopes on Akashvani for the second leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series, the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) this Sunday (1 March) at Sha Tin, although he is hopeful he’ll have another galloper or two put their hands up in time for the 149th HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on 22 March.

While Hayes has three entries in the Hong Kong Classic Cup, the 82-rated Akashvani is the only one likely to get a run with Fortune Boy and Shamus Storm set to miss out.

Unsold at the 2023 Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale after not reaching his AU$20,000 (approx. HK$110,000) reserve, Akashvani eventually found himself under the care of Ben, Will & JD Hayes in Victoria, Australia before joining the Hong Kong stable of their father David after being sold to Prem Fathechand Melwani.

Victorious on Hong Kong debut over the Sha Tin 1200m in March last year, Akashvani raced consistently without winning through six starts until again saluting over six furlongs, this time at Happy Valley, in October.

A win over 1400m last month saw Akashvani improve his record to three wins from 13 starts and he then ran eighth in the first leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series, the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) on 1 February.

After travelling forward of midfield in a race with plenty of speed, Akashvani stuck on solidly enough but still finished four lengths adrift of the smart Little Paradise.

“He’s got to be tested at the distance but he’s by Alpine Eagle, which suggests he will get the trip,” said Hayes with a view to the 1800m of the Hong Kong Classic Cup.

“He’s in good shape and he’s going well. Whether he can win, I’m not sure. It’s going to be hard to beat Little Paradise. The only hope is if he doesn’t run these further distances.”

While Akashvani comfortably made the Hong Kong Classic Cup field with the eighth-highest rating of the 21 entries, Fortune Boy (69) and Shamus Storm (61) are well down the pecking order and Hayes is already looking towards the BMW Hong Kong Derby with that pair, as well as China Win.

Fortune Boy has raced without luck at times this season and finished fourth in his first run over 2000m at Sha Tin last Thursday (19 February), with Hayes admitting he thinks “he’s more a Derby horse than Classic Cup”.

China Win missed a run on 14 February with an irregular heart rhythm but Hayes confirmed the 67-rated galloper, who has won twice over 1800m, will push on towards Hong Kong’s most prestigious race.

“China Win unfortunately got scratched. He had a heart fibrillation but two hours later he was normal. It’s all about qualifying (for the Derby) now but I’m sure he’s good enough – I think he’s a very good horse,” he said.

“He had a setback but I think he’s pretty good – Shamus Storm. His Derby hopes are still alive if he wins his next start.”

Hayes also provided an update on his other Hong Kong Classic Mile runner, the 10th-placed Public Attention: “Public Attention is out. He’s been gelded and he’s going to be trained as middle-distance sprinter.”