Pocketing and China Win may have run out of time to make the Hong Kong Derby, but trainer David Hayes is adamant both of the smart prospects will close out the season in style, starting at Sha Tin on Sunday.

A five-time winner in Australia, Pocketing’s pre-import highlights include a Group Two victory at Rosehill before an eighth-place finish in the Group One Australian Derby (2,400m).

He starts off his Hong Kong career in the Class Two Shaw Alumni Handicap (1,600m) following on from an eye-catching barrier trial at Happy Valley two weeks ago.

Although he will be a much better horse over the middle distances, Hayes is eager to learn more about the Grunt galloper, who could be bound for Group races again in time.

“He’s only been here for a short time and we were hoping he was going to be a Derby horse, but it was just too rushed to get him there,” Hayes said of the four-year-old, who will break from barrier six in the nine-runner field.

“I think a mile, off the back of one good trial at Happy Valley, I’m hoping he’ll run a good race and of course he’ll derive a lot of natural improvement.

“Zac was very happy with that trial and his final gallop was good too. I just think that first time in Hong Kong with a mile first up, with how hard we go in Hong Kong, it’ll be a big ask and massive effort.

“He’ll definitely improve from this and be much stronger over the middle distances – that is what he was bought for.”

Hayes also runs China Win – who missed out on the Derby in agonising fashion – in the Class Three Morningside And Lee Woo Sing Alumni Handicap (1,600m).

The son of Super Seth rocketed into Derby contention with a pair of smart wins at Sha Tin and Happy Valley, which elevated him to rating of 67 after he dropped to 51 following five defeats to start the season.

However, he was diagnosed with a heart irregularity before his next intended start in mid-February, and that meant he needed to win at Happy Valley just 10 days before the Derby to make it into Hong Kong’s most coveted race.

It did not work out, with China Win being run down in the final strides of that race, but a typically upbeat Hayes is now focusing on the rest of an exciting career for his stout stayer, who will break from barrier one under Keith Yeung Ming-lun.

“I think he’ll have a very good end to the season and next season will be his golden year. He’s a horse with plenty of talent and I’m sure he’ll run well without knowing too much about the opposition yet,” Hayes said.

“I think he’ll win more money in the next 12 months than any of the horses that ran in the Derby.”

Vigor Eye is another useful prospect for Hayes and he bids for a maiden-shattering win in the Class Four Graduate School Alumni Handicap (1,200m).

Shaping with plenty of promise in his first three starts, finishing third, fourth and third respectively, he was forced to do plenty of early work when posting the first disappointing run of his career at Sha Tin last time.

He is set to be given a more conservative ride on this occasion and drawing barrier one will certainly help him save as much petrol as possible in the run.

Harry Bentley takes over in the saddle for the first time and Hayes is hoping Vigor Eye can bounce back to his best.

“He went over the top a little bit, so we backed off him and kept him fresh,” Hayes said. “Hopefully we’ll get a positive response out of him – I decided to give him a race instead of a trial.”

Elsewhere on Sunday, Hayes also has a pair of strong chances in the Class Four United Alumni Handicap (2,000m) in the form of Star Brose and Supreme Mastermind.

A winner at Happy Valley four starts ago, Star Brose has remained in good form since without winning, while Supreme Mastermind arrives on the back of a good trial at Happy Valley and should benefit from a gear change according to Hayes.

“Star Brose is racing well and arrives in great form. Supreme Mastermind’s trial at the Valley was excellent the other day and we’re finally taking the ear muffs off him; hopefully he’ll respond well to that,” Hayes said.

On a busy Sunday for Hayes, he also runs Let’s Have Fun, Turbo Jefferies, State Security and Chateauneuf.