Romantic Son secured a dramatic third-straight DBS x Manulife Million Challenge win for trainer David Hayes after diving late to win the Class Three Sing Woo Handicap (1,200m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.

Hayes, who had won the last two editions of the Million Challenge with Soleil Fighter and Tomodachi Kokoroe, came into the evening with a pair of strong candidates, with Storm Rider also flying the flag for the stable.

Storm Rider needed to overturn a six-point gap to series leader Regal Gem – who led the way on 42 points – in the Class Two Blue Pool Handicap (1,200m), but it was the horse who was sixth in the standings, Romantic Son, who usurped them both and beat Regal Gem on countback and win a HK$1 million bonus.

The Smart Missile galloper, carrying the Hayes family colours, snuck into contention for the series win with his second Class Three win of the campaign on his latest start, bringing him onto 30 points.

With top weight and barrier 12 against him, he was sent off a late-backed $22.5 shot and with just three behind him turning in, the task looked to be insurmountable for Harry Bentley.

He got his mount in the clear as soon as possible, however, and the pair thundered down the outside to pick the pocket of California Blitz in the final stride.

It was a chance spare for Bentley, who picked up the ride from Dylan Browne McMonagle, who was absent due to food poisoning, and the British rider was quick to acknowledge his unfortunate absence.

“Obviously I was concerned the horse was carrying topweight and had a bad draw [in barrier 12] because I perhaps thought he needed a perfect one-back, on-the-rail trip but he’s clearly proven that theory wrong and won from a wide gate,” said Bentley.

“To be fair to the horse, he quickened really well off the top weight and he won well.

“Obviously I know the horse really well, having won on him twice before so it was unfortunate for Dylan but good to step in and get the owners another winner.”

Romantic Son still looked set to fall short, with Regal Gem only needing second in the Blue Pool Handicap to secure the Million Challenge and Storm Rider also a win away from nabbing it from his stablemate.

The pair both disappointed, however, with Regal Gem only fourth and Storm Rider seventh behind the game winner Beauty Waves for Zac Purton and trainer Tony Cruz.

Hayes has enjoyed plenty of recent success in the lucrative series, which started on September 10 and was for horses at Class Three level and above.

“It was very exciting to see Romantic Son win it – he’s my syndicate horse and they’re a great bunch of people, it’s such a thrill,” said Hayes.

“It’s been tough at home but nothing has been wrong here, we’re up there now in the premiership and are certainly right in the hunt now – long may it continue.

“Storm Rider didn’t have the best of luck but we’ll give him a break now as he’s had a tough run of races.”

Regal Gem ultimately fell just short for trainer Frankie Lor Fu-chuen, finishing behind Romantic Son on countback and collecting HK$350,000, while there was a three-way tie for third, with Awesome Fluke, Storm Rider and King Miles splitting HK$150,000 equally.

Awesome Fluke, who entered the night in joint 15th, jumped up the standings by breaking the track record to secure an $18.7 boilover in the Class Two Shan Kwong Handicap (1,650m).

There was a double on the card for Pierre Ng Pang-chi, who watched Victor The Rapid and Andrea Atzeni-ridden Storm Runner salute, with Atzeni also securing a brace thanks to his earlier win on Awesome Fluke.

Caspar Fownes, who is now one away from his 1,200th Hong Kong winner, also slammed in a double with victories for Somelovefromabove and Corleone.