Rubylot’s Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) campaign and a slightly unlucky run in the city’s most prestigious race convinced David Hayes to plot a path towards the Group One QE II Cup (2,000m) on April 27.
The Australian Hall of Fame trainer was tossing up whether to drop Rubylot back to the 1,600m of the Group One Champions Mile or pit him against world-class opposition, headlined by French star Goliath and Japan’s Liberty Island and Prognosis, in the QE II Cup.
A brilliant winner of the second leg of the four-year-old series, the Classic Cup (1,800m), Rubylot was a beaten favourite when fifth to Cap Ferrat in last month’s Derby but had an excuse when he was bumped by Noisy Boy several times.
“I think because he had been prepared for a Derby, we might as well try him against the best 2,000m horses,” Hayes said.
HISTORY AT SHA TIN! 👏👏@CWilliamsJockey wins the 148th @BMW Hong Kong Derby aboard Cap Ferrat for trainer Francis Lui over a fast-closing My Wish... #4YOSeries | #LoveRacing | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/OHHfz0JKlE
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 23, 2025
“If he measures up, great. But if he doesn’t measure up, he’ll be kept for shorter distances.”
Hayes made another crucial call when opting to start Rubylot in Sunday’s Class One Healthy Community Handicap (1,400m), rather than trial him at Sha Tin on Tuesday.
That decision paves the way for an audacious bid to drop back in trip three weeks after the Derby, before jumping back up to 10 furlongs two weeks later.
“We just thought rather than trial against Voyage Bubble for no money and he loves it wet – there’s a little bit of rain around – why not give him a warm-up race in this?” Hayes said.
Rubylot drops back to 1,400m on Sunday.
“He’s won three races at 1,400m. I think he’s freshened up well and he’ll run a good race.
“Coming back from 2,000m in three weeks is never easy, but I gave him a bit of sprint work at the start of the week and he responded well.
“It might be a bit short but he’ll run really well. In the Derby he was bumped the whole way – he kept getting bumped, not interfered with but just put off. I think if we just get him in a rhythm and save him for one late run, he’ll fly home.”
With Rubylot dropping down towards the bottom of the weights with 119 pounds, lightweight jockey Karis Teetan has picked up the plum ride from the gelding’s regular rider Brenton Avdulla, who teams up with top weight Beauty Joy.
Jockey Karis Teetan and trainer David Hayes combine in Sunday’s Class One feature.
Dropping back from Group races for the first time since 2023, the Tony Cruz-trained Beauty Joy rarely visits the winners’ enclosure but also consistently performs above expectations, including a third behind Voyage Bubble in the Group One Hong Kong Mile in December.
The strongest race on Sunday’s card also includes last year’s Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1,200m) victor Invincible Sage, Group Three winners Patch Of Theta, Mugen and Taj Dragon, as well as Drombeg Banner, Mr Ascendency and Classic Mile runner-up Divano.
Sitting second on the trainers’ championship with 41 wins this term, Hayes will also be represented by Ka Ying Resilience, Falcon Court, Honest Witness, Positive Smile, Night Purosangue and Ariel on Sunday.
Honest Witness looks capable of improving second up in the Class Four JC Campsite Reimagination Project Handicap (1,200m) after a solid debut fourth to Super Strong Kid down the 1,000m straight.
Zac Purton hops aboard the Written By three-year-old on Sunday.
