Ben Hayes is happy, David Hayes is smiling, and Adrian Bott is content.
That is pretty much the story after the barrier draw for the Group 1 Champions Mile took place at Sha Tin on Thursday before Sunday’s card that features two other top shelf events in Hong Kong’s ‘other’ international day.
Mr Brightside’s presence has made an impact in the build-up and Ben Hayes had two words – “very happy” – to describe the Lindsay Park team’s reaction to drawing barrier two while main rival Voyage Bubble drew in 10.
Last start winner of the Group 1 Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m), Voyage Bubble takes on the mile contest in favour of the 2000-metre Group 1 QE II Cup in a move that trainer Ricky Yiu remains comfortable with.
“It is an easier task,” Yiu said.
“We preferred to go over the mile even though he goes well over both and even as a six-year-old he is like he was when he came to us at four.
“There’s still improvement in him.”Adrian Bott is satisfied with Royal Patronage who rounded out his Sydney carnival with a second placing in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) on April 5.
He is just as happy for he and Gai Waterhouse’s first Hong Kong runner to appear as more of a bit player behind the main fancies.”Rightly so,” Bott said of the main track talk being about Mr Brightside.”He’s got the form around the right horses and we bring similar form here.
Bott said that the six-year-old stallion took a few days to acclimatise to the warmer conditions in Hong Kong and to get into the routine.
“No doubt that if it was as straight forward as bringing his form over from Sydney, I think that is enough to see him being competitive,” he added.
“We feel that we have brought the right horse here.”
Local star Ka Ying Rising drew barrier four in the Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) while the John Size-trained Helio Express dew barrier 13.
“There’s no strategising against Ka Ying Rising,” Size said in all but conceding a 13th career victory to the three-time group one winner.
Japanese raider and race favourite Liberty Island drew barrier 11 in the QE II Cup.
