There is nothing complex about David Hayes. He's an amiable bloke who doesn't whinge and gets on with the job of training winners. He does that with what on the surface appears to be remarkable ease, but in effect, is a near total mastery of his demanding profession.
If he wasn't training winners, the Australian would probably earn a very decent living as a public relations consultant. Not many at the top of his game have such a relaxed and easy relationship with the media, his owners and, it would seem, Jockey Club officials.
So when Hayes has something to say about a major racing topic, it usually pays to listen.
And our current leading trainer - he must be 33-1 on to win the title - was not impressed with recent decisions of the handicapping department in relation to some of his younger horses.
He touched on the topic prior to Saturday's meeting at Sha Tin and gave more detailed views after favourite Top Light's comprehensive defeat in the final event.
Hayes says he feels that the younger ex-griffins in Class Four are being too harshly penalised for one win in that grade. He cites examples from his own stable: Top Light, William's Surpass, Songs Of Innocence and Always Cheerful.
