Rubylot beats them all in Hong Kong Classic Cup

HONG KONG Brenton Avdulla continued a blossoming season by dominating at Sha Tin on March 2 by crowning a stellar display with victory in the HK$13 million (S$2.26 million) Hong Kong Classic Cup (1,800m) on the David Hayes-trained Rubylot.

He then piloted emerging HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) hopeful Enthralled to an important triumph.

The 34-year-old moved into third place in the Hong Kong jockeys' championship with 29 wins behind two fellow Australians, the injured Zac Purton (84) and Hugh Bowman (42), after taking the riding honours with three successive wins after also striking with Young Champion in the Class 2 Tai Hing Handicap (1,400m).

"Nice day. I had four rides, I thought three of them were good, competitive rides and they're the three that have lobbed. They all had nice runs in transit, got the job done," said Avdulla.

"Hayesey' had the horse (Rubylot) spot-on. He had a nice run through and I was confident at the 250 (metres) he was going to get the job done. I've got no doubt if he drew a gate in the (Hong Kong Classic Mile), he would have gone very close (to winning).

"I was just back in no man's land and he still ran on well, so I was confident enough to stick with him to come to 1,800m.

"I thought the draw (barrier No. 8) was a little bit tricky again and, ideally, I would have been a bit closer but it just didn't look any good after 50 (metres). So I just rode him quiet and my only decision was whether I go inside Mickley or around him.

"I just felt I was going good enough to get Mickley out of the way when I cornered and, to his credit, the horse found the line really well."

Crowning a glorious eight days, Hayes has now set sights on the BMW Hong Kong Derby with Rubylot on March 23 when the Australian will attempt to win the Classic for a second time.

Leading the 2024-25 Hong Kong trainers' championship with 35 wins, Hayes last Sunday (Feb 23) saddled HK$13 million Group 1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m) victor Ka Ying Rising before claiming the DBS x Manulife Million Challenge at Happy Valley on Wednesday (Feb 26) with Soleil Fighter and then striking with Rubylot on March 2.

Rubylot ($72) steamed from the tail of the field at the 400m to overhaul Hong Kong Classic Mile (1,600m) winner My Wish (Luke Ferraris) and score by 3/4 length in 1min 46.29sec, with the fast-finishing Johannes Brahms (Karis Teetan) ½ length further back in third.

In clinching the second leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series, the four-year-old has improved his record to six wins and eight placings from 18 starts for his owners, the HK Football Club Horse Racing Syndicate, while taking his earnings to HK$15.5 million.

Settling second-last, Rubylot tracked Mickley (Ryan Moore) into the straight. He then angled into the clear and accelerated powerfully with a race-best 22.30sec final 400m sectional to quickly settle the contest and atone for a luckless sixth in the Hong Kong Classic Mile.

A dual Hong Kong champion trainer, Hayes last won the BMW Hong Kong Derby in 2003 with Elegant Fashion, who was the first filly to triumph in Hong Kong's most coveted race since Corvette in 1976.

"It would be very nice (to win another BMW Hong Kong Derby). It's been a long time. It's one of the raceseveryone in Hong Kong wants to win," said Hayes.

"To my eye, he (Rubylot) was the strongest late and that's a good sign stepping up to the 2,000m. Being a Rubick you were always concerned, but he's out of a Dubawi mare and stoutly bred on the dam side.

"You always look at this race (Hong Kong Classic Cup) to find the closers and that's a good pointer to the Derby. I don't think anyone ran home faster than him today. It was a brilliant sectional."

A two-time winner in England for Sir Michael Stoute, the Size-trainedEnthralled ($35) showcased his staying potential with a last-to-first win in the Class 3 Yan Tin Handicap (2,000m) to earn a PP (Pre-import Performance)Bonus of HK$1.5 million and impressing Avdulla.

"I actually said to John after I first rode him that if you had another two months up your sleeve, he'd be one of the live chances in the Derby," said Avdulla. "So, he's had to get him there quickly. It's not often you see John give them only a couple of trials and then run them in a mile.

"I think he's a good quality horse. If he makes his way into the Derby field, he'll be a live hope for sure."

Size joined Hayes and Ricky Yiu in scoring doubles, with Young Champion's impressive display before James McDonald completed a brace with victory on Dennis Yip's Fast Network in the Class 3 Yau Oi Handicap (1,200m).

McDonald opened his account on Lucky Fionn in the Class 4 Yan Oi Tong Cup Handicap (1,400m) for Yiu, who also combined successfully with James Orman and The Concentration in the Class 5 Lung Yat Handicap (1,200m). HKJC

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