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In the midst of a strong season with 35 wins, David Hayes is looking forward to soon unveiling the Group 1-winning Little Brose, who is expected to undertake one more barrier trial next Tuesday (9 April) at Sha Tin before featuring on race day.
Winner of the 2023 G1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) as a two-year-old in Melbourne, Australia, Little Brose arrived in Hong Kong last December and has had three barrier trials ahead of his upcoming debut.
"He's going alright. He's lazy at trackwork just like he was in Australia but I expect his trial next Tuesday will tell us whether he is ready to go to the races," Hayes said. "The idea is to get him in here, get him to adjust to the ratings and speed of racing, and hopefully he'll be spot on to go for the good races next season."
Little Brose is entered for the HK$22 million G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize (1200m) at Sha Tin on FWD Champions Day (Sunday, 28 April). The 77-rater could potentially feature in the field as it is determined by a selection panel.
"He's entered but I think that will be a bridge too far first-up. We'll give him a softer option first-up and target the big races next season – he's only a three-year-old," Hayes said.
Hugh Bowman has partnered Little Brose in each of his barrier trials. The colt is by Per Incanto and clocked 53.9s (31, 22.9) in a turf gallop yesterday (Monday, 1 April).
Hayes bagged 14 wins across February and March. He has a trio of horses entered for Sha Tin's eight-race all-dirt fixture tomorrow night (Wednesday, 3 April).
"We've had a good month, a good two months actually, and may it continue," he said.
Last start winner Solid Shalaa seeks consecutive triumphs in the first section of the Class 4 Ting Kau Handicap (1200m) for Hayes with Karis Teetan in the plate.
"He's been a consistent horse without winning but he does have a liking for the dirt and I think he's drawn (five) well enough and he has held his form, so hopefully we can get another win," Hayes said.
Teetan takes seven rides at the midweek fixture, led by Sing Dragon (126lb) for trainer Mark Newnham in the Class 3 Yau Kom Tau Handicap (1200m).
"He's pretty smart. I think he has a lot of improvement to show still but on his last win I think he can be really competitive on the turf and the dirt. I'm looking forward to riding him again," Teetan said.
Victory Moments (129lb) finished second behind Sing Dragon last start and the pair meet again on Wednesday.
"He (Sing Dragon) didn't really break well but after a couple of strides he really got into his momentum and found the front pretty easy and into the straight he gave me a good kick," Teetan said.
The Mauritian also partners Joyful Champion, Super Axiom, Cool Blue, Winning Icey and Turin Mascot at Sha Tin, while Hayes fields Precision Goal and Fast Victory in addition to Solid Shalaa.
Hayes has Nervous Witness and Tomodachi Kokoroe entered in Sunday's (7 April) HK$5.35 million G2 Sprint Cup (1200m), which is expected to feature Lucky Sweynesse.
The eight-race fixture on Wednesday night (3 April) at Sha Tin commences at 7.15pm.
