David Hayes is hoping to reignite his 2025/26 trainers’ championship hopes when he saddles a six-strong team on Wednesday night (27 May) at Happy Valley.

The Australian Racing Hall of Famer snapped a recent frustrating spell, comprising seven seconds between his last two wins, when My Mars scored on Sunday (24 May). Hayes’ 49 wins are seven shy of leader Danny Shum ahead of the 75th of 88 scheduled fixtures tomorrow as he searches for a third title following conquests in 1997/98 and 1998/99.

Honest Witness (118lb) returns in the Class 3 Seine Handicap (1200m) for Hayes, aiming to secure a hat-trick following his last-start track and trip demolition on 29 April.

“He’s got a good barrier (five). He won very easily (last start). Going up in class is always a question mark, but he got those (rating) points (plus 10) for a reason. He always had a little bit of ability, and he ran close without winning, but now he’s a bit stronger and can absorb the pressure more. Hopefully, he can win three in a row,” Hayes said.

Honest Witness pairs with the milestone-chasing Zac Purton, who is two away from becoming the first rider to reach 2,000 winners in Hong Kong. The Australian’s first victory in Hong Kong came at Happy Valley on 12 September, 2007 aboard Elfhelm. The 43-year-old leads the current championship by 63 wins.

“It’s always a good sign when Zac’s wasting (getting down to ride 118lb). The horse can be a bit keen and I think part of the reason he’s been able to improve so much is that we’ve been able to harness his enthusiasm. We’ll just let him roll forward; hopefully he can dictate again and is hard to beat,” Hayes said.

Mark Newnham is four wins adrift of Shum on 52. He saddles eight runners, led by Armor Golden Eagle (130lb), in the Class 3 Sauternes’s Cup Handicap (1650m), also under Purton following his nearly four-length romp on 29 April.

“He had a perfect run throughout, and he’s drawn to get another good run tomorrow. You just don’t see too many win off the 10-pound penalty,” Newnham said. “He came fairly unexposed from New Zealand. It took him a little while to settle in. He dropped to Class 4 and won straight away, and now he’s a Class 3 winner.

“He finds a similar race tomorrow night and he’s maintained his form. He had an easy trial last week, so I’d expect him to run very well.”

Newnham’s stellar term has included triumphs in the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) with Invincible Ibis and My Wish in the G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m).

“It’s been a great year. Any year you have more than 50 winners in Hong Kong is a good year, and we’ve won a Derby and a Group 1. Anything from this point is a bonus,” Newnham said.

Karis Teetan takes eight rides tomorrow, including Mr Cool (131lb) in the Class 4 Rhine Handicap (1650m) for trainer Frankie Lor, and said: “He’s been running really well throughout his last couple of runs. He goes back to the Valley where he has run before and he knows the track. The horse is in good shape. I think he’s going to run well.”

Wednesday’s (27 May) nine-race fixture at Happy Valley begins at 6.40pm with the Class 5 Dordogne Handicap (1200m).

By Declan Schuster

Photo: HKJC