Ellis Wong Chi-wang and James Orman are optimistic they can deliver David Hayes a Sha Tin dirt double when they ride Solid Shalaa and Ka Ying Resilience, respectively, at Sha Tin this Sunday.
Wong bids for back-to-back victories on Solid Shalaa when the comeback galloper rises to Class Three for The Members Cup (1,200m), while Orman is excited to take his first race ride on Ka Ying Resilience in the Class Four Racing Heritage Handicap (1,200m).
Struck down by suspensory ligament injuries and a humeral bone injury in the past 12 months, Solid Shalaa has made a strong comeback to run a close second first up before a fast-finishing victory last start.
After jumping slowly, the Shalaa five-year-old stormed home from the back half of the field to nail Fun N Fun Together by a neck at the course and distance of Sunday’s race.
He rises in grade to take on a string of consistent dirt performers, including Gummy Gummy, Bundle Of Charm, Mojave Desert and Mr Energia.
Three-timer denied! @elliswong05 and Solid Shalaa foil Zac Purton's running treble with a second win over the course and distance for David Hayes... #LoveRacing | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/viELPZPkae
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 20, 2025
“The horse feels very well at the moment. He has trialled well and is fit,” Wong said.
“He’s up to Class Three and I think this race has some pace in it. He doesn’t jump really well in his races, so I think the pace can help him. I’m sure he can give a strong finish.
“I hope he can jump better this week and I hope he can be in maybe a midfield position. I’m very happy with him.”
Solid Shalaa has drawn gate two in his bid for a third victory on the all-weather track. Wong’s 7lbs claim reduces the gelding’s weight to 114lbs.
Earlier on Sunday’s card, Hayes will race Ka Ying Resilience on dirt for the first time and Orman is full of confidence after the three-year-old’s recent trial win on the surface.
Ka Ying Resilience records a dominant trial win under James Orman.
Ka Ying Resilience bolted in by almost four lengths after jumping to the front and cruising along comfortably under Orman.
“I think the surface will definitely suit him, for sure,” Orman said. “He’s a horse that previously played up a little bit in the barriers, but we got him passed at the trials and he really enjoyed that surface on the all-weather.
“We’ve drawn a good barrier in barrier three, which is helpful, and if he can race like he trialled, I think he’s going to take a lot of beating.
“He did it all under his own steam [in the trial], to be honest. It was a good hit-out for him – that was nearing on three weeks ago now, so it was a good hit-out setting him up beautifully for this race.
Ka Ying Resilience puts a big margin on his rivals in a recent trial.
“I’ve sat on him in trackwork – he’s a beautiful horse to ride. He canters around lovely and does his work nicely, so I’m very excited.”
Ka Ying Resilience is yet to win from seven starts but has shown glimpses of ability, with a second on debut last term and a close second down the 1,000m straight first up this campaign.
The son of Blue Point lines up in a competitive race headlined by Ricky Yiu Poon-fai’s Rising Force, who is fresh from a superb two-length victory on debut on the dirt in March.
Fun N Fun Together and recent dirt winners Natural High, Fortune Warrior, California Star and Daily Trophy also feature in the race.
