Cover image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
By Bren O'Brien
David Hayes has begun his time back in Hong Kong in perfect fashion with his first runner, Moneymore (Reward For Effort), victorious, as he claimed a double at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Moneymore, previously a 22-start maiden in Hong Kong, charged home late under Keith Yeung to claim the Kowloon Peak H. at Sha Tin over 1200 metres by 0.5l, giving Hayes his first win in Hong Kong since he left to train in Australia in 2005.
Amazingly, he was also victorious with his first-ever runner as a trainer, his first Hong Kong runner in 1995 and his first runner on his return to Australia in 2005.
The same race, the second of the season, had previously provided the first winners for trainers Douglas Whyte and Frankie Lor in previous years. There was also a parallel for Hayes in that his first Hong Kong victory came with Esteemed (Blenchingly) over 1200 metres 25 years ago.
“I think it was race two and a Class Five 25 years ago. It’s a long time to remember, but it’s a really big thrill,” Hayes told the South China Morning Post. “This is really special because it’s a new chapter for me, I’m very excited.
“This is really special because it’s a new chapter for me, I’m very excited. " - David Hayes
"I’m especially happy for Keith (Yeung), he’d done a lot of work on the horse and he was very confident going into it and he rode the horse perfectly,” Hayes said.
Hayes said after the win that his late father Colin was close to his heart, as sporting his legendary dad’s tie, he celebrated the perfect start to his spell in Hong Kong.
“It’s Father’s Day [in Australia] and I’m wearing my late father’s tie to bring me a bit of luck,” Hayes said. “My son [Ben] had a winner [today] as well and we’re all thinking of my father on this day.”
Moneymore raced as Nick's Reward in Australia, winning on debut at the Sunshine Coast for trainer troy Hall before being sold to Hong Kong.
Hayes then celebrated a second victory when another ex-pat Australian galloper, Metro Warrior (Fastnet Rock) won Race 7, the Lantau Peak H. over 1000 metres.
It was the first victory in combination for Hayes and champion Hong Kong jockey Zac Purton and a breakthrough Hong Kong win for Metro Warrior.
He raced in Australia for Lindsay Park as Viking Warrior, winning twice. He is the final foal out of out of Group 2 winner Scandinavia (Snippets), the dam of Group 1 winner Magnus as well as the granddam of the unbeaten Black Caviar (Bel Esprit).
Hayes was previously Hong Kong's Champion trainer in 1997/98 and 1998/99 and trained 458 winners in 10 seasons from 1995 to 2005.
