David Hayes is hoping the rub of the green will be there for his horses at Sha Tin on Saturday with a team that includes a pair of smart chances in Soleil Fighter and Pocketing in the feature Class Two Peacock Handicap (1,600m).
The two-time champion Hong Kong trainer can always rely on Soleil Fighter for a big run, with the Sea The Moon galloper finishing inside the top four in nine of his 13 runs this season, including a win and four seconds.
He was last seen producing a very rare disappointing seventh-place finish at Happy Valley, but the race did not play out in his favour and Hayes is sure he can bounce back with Nichola Yuen Hang-yiu’s 10lb claim a big positive.
“Hugh was a bit critical of himself after his last run, as he thought he should have rolled forward on him. He held him up and they went slow, which meant he pulled, and he never runs well when he pulls,” Hayes said.
“You have to just let him flow in his own rhythm to get the best from him. He’ll roll on the pace this time and he’ll take a bit of catching. Nichola’s 10lb claim will certainly help – I’ll be telling her not to fight him.”
