David Hayes is hoping the rub of the green will be there for his horses at Sha Tin on Saturday with a team that includes a pair of smart chances in Soleil Fighter and Pocketing in the feature Class Two Peacock Handicap (1,600m).

The two-time champion Hong Kong trainer can always rely on Soleil Fighter for a big run, with the Sea The Moon galloper finishing inside the top four in nine of his 13 runs this season, including a win and four seconds.

He was last seen producing a very rare disappointing seventh-place finish at Happy Valley, but the race did not play out in his favour and Hayes is sure he can bounce back with Nichola Yuen Hang-yiu’s 10lb claim a big positive.

“Hugh was a bit critical of himself after his last run, as he thought he should have rolled forward on him. He held him up and they went slow, which meant he pulled, and he never runs well when he pulls,” Hayes said.

“You have to just let him flow in his own rhythm to get the best from him. He’ll roll on the pace this time and he’ll take a bit of catching. Nichola’s 10lb claim will certainly help – I’ll be telling her not to fight him.”

In the same race, Hayes will send out Group Two-winning Australian import Pocketing, who ran better than the bare result when a few places behind Soleil Fighter in that same Happy Valley race.

“I thought Pocketing’s last run had plenty of merit. Lyle made two runs on him and he didn’t weaken at the end, he held on well. I’d say if he can get a smooth run in transit, he’ll go well too,” Hayes said.

There will also be plenty of intrigue surrounding Jedi Spurs, who makes his debut for Hayes in the Sunbird Plate (1,000m) for Griffins on the back of two winning barrier trials.

It has been a bit of a rush to get him to the races, but the talent is clearly there and Hayes is confident of a big effort.

“I thought his trials were good. He’s already had a look down the straight and I’d expect him to be very competitive,” Hayes said.

“These younger horses have to be trained a bit differently to the older ones because they’re developing. He hasn’t been here a long time, so he has been on a quick preparation to get him ready for these last two Griffin races.”

Another pair of strong chances for Hayes are Let’s Have Fun and Withallmyfaith, who run in the first section of the Class Four Swan Handicap (1,400m) and the Class Three Spoonbill Handicap (1,600m) respectively.

The former was badly hampered when coming with a storming run three starts ago and again suffered trouble in running last time out, while the latter was collared in agonising fashion at Happy Valley last start.

“Let’s Have Fun was unfortunate three runs ago, he was coming with his run and then a horse nearly fell in front of him,” Hayes said. “He was then held up last start as well and ran home nicely. He’s got a nicer barrier and I think he’ll be in the frame.

“Withallmyfaith was just collared in the shadows of the post last time. It would be great if he could get the Class Three [Privately Purchased Horse] bonus. Karis [Teetan] will have him right on the pace and he’s been such a consistent horse without winning.”

Hayes’ squad is rounded off by Akashvani and Amazing Gaze.