'I think he will run because you only get one chance to go for it, but he's not a definite yet,' says Hayes
David Hayes landed a one-two with Charming City and Meridian Star in the Hong Kong Classic Mile at Sha Tin yesterday - but as a Derby trial the feature race raised as many questions as it answered.
Both of the Hayes horses are Derby probables, along with stablemate Helene Vitality, but the trainer admitted there were major stamina doubts about Charming City, who could be switched to a mile event on Derby day. And several other aspirants to the crown - notably Good Heavens and Industrial Pioneer - are likely to improve over the Derby trip of 2,000 metres, despite finishing unplaced yesterday.
All in all, it added up to a pretty muddling picture, though there was no doubting the authority of Charming City's 1.25-length victory. He was given a brilliant ride by Shane Dye, who let his mount settle in behind Citizen Kane rather than fight for the lead and then overhauled the pacesetter in the straight to score comfortably. Citizen Kane kept on well but was just touched off for the runner-up spot by a head as Meridian Star finished best of all under Steven King with a run full of promise for the Derby.
Hayes, who earlier had unveiled 'the next Charming City' in debut winner Splendid Star, said his big-race winner was a probable rather than a definite Derby runner.
'He's by Chief's Crown and normally his progeny will stay beyond a mile, but I'm not sure about this one. I think he will run in the Derby because you only get one chance to go for it, but he's not a definite yet. If he doesn't run, he'll go for the mile race on Derby day.'
Dye was more hopeful about Charming City's chances of getting the Derby trip, saying: 'I think he will stay 2,000 metres if he switches off like he did for me today. He settled nicely just behind the leader, and I was just where I wanted to be. Everything went perfectly for me.'
Charming City was entitled to win comfortably as he was the highest-rated horse in the race on 120, eight pounds clear of the next-best Industrial Pioneer. Following his seventh place in the Hong Kong Mile behind Sunline and Fairy King Prawn in December, he had been freshened up over 1,000 metres last time when a creditable fourth to Fairy King Prawn in the Bauhinia Sprint Trophy, and his condition yesterday was a credit to Hayes and his team. The trainer said: 'He's a top-class horse over a mile, and if you take out Fairy King Prawn he's about the best miler in Hong Kong. He's certainly the best four-year-old miler, just as he was the best three-year-old over a mile last year. But Fairy King Prawn is just different class.'
Referring to Fairy King Prawn's scheduled bid for the Dubai Duty Free next month, Hayes added with a smile: 'I wish Fairy King Prawn would go to Dubai and stay there.'
Hayes said Meridian Star and Helene Vitality would definitely go for the Derby, and he was particularly encouraged by the runner-up's display. 'I was very pleased with him. We rode him cold today as a trial for the Derby and he ran home very well. I think he'll have no problem with the extra distance in the Derby.'
Behind the Hayes pair, there were a few good Derby trials, plus some disappointments, and the form may be turned upside down in next month's Classic. One of the most promising runs came from Citizen Kane, who put up his best display so far for Tony Millard with a game front-running effort. The South African trainer, who sent out Keen Winner to land the Derby last year, was also pleased with Citizen Kane's fellow Argentine-bred Litigado, who ran on well to finish seventh. 'They have both run well and the Derby is the aim with them. Litigado will run over 1,800 metres in two weeks' and, all being well, he will go for the Derby after that.'
David Oughton, who was also double-handed in yesterday's race with Good Heavens and Idol, said he was 'pleased with how they ran' after they finished sixth and 10th respectively.
Good Heavens had been well-fancied after a promising third on his Hong Kong debut, but jockey Mick Kinane said: 'He seemed to fret a bit today and sweat up, and maybe the second-up thing was a factor. Also, I didn't get the best of runs, otherwise he would have finished right on top of them. He needs a longer trip, so he's still in the reckoning for the Derby.'
Second favourite Industrial Pioneer finished a disappointing eighth, but jockey John Egan said: 'He needs further, and I think you can forget that run when it comes to the Derby.'
Magnifier, the warm favourite on the back of his highly promising Hong Kong debut when second behind Fairy King Prawn in last month's Stewards' Cup, was virtually pulled up by Felix Coetzee in last place. The Tony Cruz-trained gelding was later found to have a heart irregularity and to be unco-ordinated in his hind legs.
