Trainer David Hayes continued his feature-race spree at Sha Tin on Sunday, snaring the Classic Cup (1,800m) with Rubylot a week after Ka Ying Rising bagged his third Group One win of the season in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m).

While Ka Ying Rising was the red-hot favourite and entered the race under a weight of expectation, Rubylot jumped at $14.45 under Brenton Avdulla after only managing sixth in the Classic Mile.

“It really was [an excellent win]. [Classic Mile day] was the day where all the horses that cut the corner were the strongest and he still ran the third-fastest sectional and he went the widest,” said Hayes.

“That wasn’t the place to be. Brenton today learned from that – he cut the corner and peeled out into the straight and he was able to unleash that great sprint he’s got.”

After settling at the back of the field from gate eight in a race run at a breakneck early speed, Rubylot was still as good as last upon straightening before Avdulla found his way out of traffic and unleashed his mount down the centre of the track.

The galloper’s final 400m of 22.30 seconds was comfortably the quickest of the race and enough for him to see off Classic Mile winner My Wish by three-quarters of a length.

After snaring the second leg of the four-year-old series, Hayes was quick to ponder Rubylot’s chances in the city’s most prestigious race, the Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) on March 23.

“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,” said Hayes.

A beaming David Hayes after Rubylot’s Classic Cup success.A beaming David Hayes after Rubylot’s Classic Cup success.

“To my eye he was the strongest late and that’s a good sign stepping up to the 2,000m. Being a Rubick you were always concerned [about him running the trip] but he’s out of a Dubawi mare and stoutly bred on the dam side.”

Hayes finished the afternoon with a double after also saluting with Ariel in the Class Three On Ting Handicap (1,650m) on the dirt, ensuring the Australian handler remains at the head of the trainers’ premiership with 35 victories.

Rubylot’s win continued a remarkable resurgence for Hayes, who could only manage 13th in the 2022-23 premiership as he struggled to halt an exodus of gallopers from his stable.

“It was a pretty good crop of PPGs [previously unraced horses] to come out of Lindsay Park – him and Ka Ying [Rising] in the same year,” said Hayes.

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“One’s a staying version and one’s a speed version. I’m hoping [Rubylot] can do what most of the Classic Series horses that win [do] the next year and that’s compete in the upper-class races.”

Rubylot’s victory completed a roller-coaster afternoon for owners the Hong Kong Football Club Horse Racing Syndicate after Decrelot finished last for Hayes two races earlier.

“I think this is their best horse. They’ve had an up-and-down day – true ownership. Their other horse ran last. I think they’re pretty happy with the one that won,” said Hayes.

Elsewhere in the Classic Cup, Johannes Brahms finished third, favourite Packing Angel was fourth, Noisy Boy faded into 13th after going too fast in the lead and Mickley ran last.

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