LEADING Australian trainer David Hayes yesterday shrugged off the disappointment of the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club's decision to freeze any new licences for expatriate trainers for almost two years.
Hayes, strongly linked to a job here next season, said: ''I would like to have had a crack at Hong Kong because I wanted to be a part of international racing.
''But I look at it simply. It's Hong Kong's business and they must do as they see fit. I have a great team in work down here and my biggest concern at the moment is getting my horses ready for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.'' But Hayes, 30, will be in Hong Kong in December - if he can get the right horse for the $5 million International Cup.
Hayes was represented last year by Fraar, very much involved in the Melbourne Spring Carnival, and he said last night: ''I want to go back up there with the right horse. I don't know if I can win it, but I want one that will run really well. That's very much on my mind at the moment - as well as the Melbourne and Caulfield Cups.'' ''I don't know whether I would be interested in applying for Hong Kong in another two years' time. There's so much that can happen in the interim,'' said Hayes.
English jockey Wendyll Woods was yesterday granted a visiting rider's licence by the Macau Jockey Club.
Woods, formerly stable jockey to his uncle, Lawrie Fownes, is likely to come in for many rides in Macau from former Madras-based trainer David Thompson, who is also part of the family.
