David Hayes is aiming to bridge a 25-year gap when Akashavani and Public Attention line up in Sunday’s Classic Mile at Sha Tin.

Fresh off watching Ka Ying Rising equalling Silent Witness’ record of 17 consecutive victories at Sha Tin last weekend, Hayes will now look for his first Classic Mile winner since Charming City’s victory in 2001.

Both his runners look to have strong chances of hitting the board, but Akashvani looks set to fly the flag from a kind draw in barrier four under Luke Ferraris.

The Alpine Eagle galloper lined up for his most recent run needing a dominant victory to get into the Classic Mile and he produced the goods in grand style, landing a betting plunge to salute at $18 after leading the entire way.

The handicapper reacted by giving him 10 points – comfortably getting him into the field in the process – and Hayes thinks his four-year-old has the right credentials to excel stepping up to 1,600m for the first time.

“The handicapper is hopefully a good judge and he gave him 10 points for his last run, which you don’t see in Class Three races very often,” said Hayes.

“He has to improve on that run and I hope he will over the 1,600m – he’s just got to hold his form.”

The best barrier in the race, stall one, has gone the way of Hayes’ other runner, Australian import Public Attention.

He was a smart operator Down Under, winning on debut at Caulfield before an admirable effort to finish fifth in the Group One Caulfield Guineas (1,600m).

On his next start, he posted a career-best effort to win the Group Three Eskimo Prince Stakes (1,200m) at Randwick and although he is yet to win since making the move to Hong Kong, it is not for a lack of trying.

He was beaten just half a length in his first two local starts and was far from disgraced when fourth behind fellow Classic Mile contenders Little Paradise and Infinite Resolve on his most recent outing.

The blinkers are now reached for by Hayes and he thinks that could be the catalyst for the Brenton Avdulla-ridden hope.

“Every run since coming to Hong Kong has been good, it’s no easy task to win this race but I think the blinkers are going on at the right time,” said Hayes.

“I think he’s peaking now, his gallops have been very good and he should be running well.”

It could be a big day for Hayes, who has whittled Mark Newnham’s trainers’ premiership lead down to just one after a brilliant January that saw him post 10 winners.

He will also be relying on Tomodachi Kokoroe on Sunday’s card, who has claims in the Class One Mirs Bay Handicap (1,400m).