Fresh off watching Ka Ying Rising turn in his “best performance” at Sha Tin on Sunday, David Hayes now turns his attention to Happy Valley on Wednesday night and continuing to close the gap on Mark Newnham in the trainers’ championship.

His superstar posted his second-fastest time when cruising to his 15th consecutive victory in the Group Two BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1,200m), with stablemate Tomodachi Kokoroe finishing seventh.

It was a performance that even left his trainer stunned and after pulling up well, Hayes’ focus is on keeping the world’s best sprinter happy and healthy ahead of the Group One Hong Kong Sprint (1,200m) on December 14.

“I haven’t seen him do it so well. He didn’t sweat up and pulled up so beautifully – I think it was his best performance,” said Hayes. “He’s just got all the sprinters in the world covered at the moment.

“He’s just got to stay healthy and avoid mishap in the run. He gets sent off at a $1.05 for a reason.

“We’re leading on seconds at the moment [in the premiership] and hopefully we can catch him on firsts soon – we’ll certainly be trying.”

Hayes’ attention now turns to Happy Valley on Wednesday, where his strong squad is headlined by the progressive Akashvani in the Class Three Culloden Bridge Handicap (1,200m).

He made it two wins from eight starts when beating a useful field for the grade over course and distance last month, always travelling best and showing a good attitude to get past a game rival on Valley debut.

The Alpine Eagle galloper retains the services of Zac Purton and has drawn the plum gate on the rail, giving Hayes every reason to believe in back-to-back victories.

“I just thought he had Happy Valley attributes and he seems to be able to take a position. He’s quite honest and I can’t see any reason why he wouldn’t do it again,” said Hayes.

“I think the major improvement might come when he’s out in distance. He’s bred to be a good miler so we may consider stretching him out a bit after this with the hope he’s a Classic Series horse.”

Another of his big chances on Wednesday is Amazing Gaze, who runs in the Class Four Kylesku Bridge Handicap (1,650m) with Purton up for the first time.

Showing plenty of ability in three starts so far this campaign, he looked very unfortunate not to salute over course and distance two weeks ago when blocked for a run at a crucial stage.

Further improvement looks to be forthcoming and the booking of the champion jockey can only be a positive.

“He’s a work in progress and was very unlucky [last start], but he pulled up well and has a great barrier,” said Hayes. “He will probably start favourite and I’d say he deserves to.”

On a busy night for the yard, Hayes also runs China Win in the Class Four St Andrew’s Challenge Quaich (1,800m), who ran on like a freight train from a poor draw over the mile at Sha Tin three weeks ago.

He is burdened with another woeful barrier, but a step up in distance is certainly a positive to his chances as he makes his city circuit debut.

“He was unlucky last start when getting badly held up. Hollie [Doyle] thought with luck in running he would have gone close, but he has another horror draw and will probably need a lot of luck,” said Hayes.

The stable also runs Star Brose, Dashing Maurison, Awesome Treasure and Nova Knight.