Hayes hoping for a fighting win

David Hayes hopes Soleil Fighter can lay the platform for a memorable week by building an unassailable lead in the DBS x Manulife Million Challenge at Happy Valley today as the dual Hong Kong champion trainer prepares to unleash Ka Ying Rising in the HK$13 million G1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.

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Soleil Fighter contests the Class 3 Kap Shui Mun Handicap (1650m) and, after a last-start win, leads the DBS x Manulife Million Challenge with 46 points from I Can (42) and Eternal Fortune (40) ahead of next week's (26 February) finale.

Soleil Fighter could seal overall victory if he makes it two wins in a row and two of tomorrow night's entrants – Eternal Fortune and Gustosisimo (27) – fail to score under the competition format of 15 points for a win, six for second, four for third and three for fourth.

"He's in great shape and he's leading the (DBS x Manulife Million) Challenge and if he could win, he would seal it – we're hoping he can win," Hayes said. "He's a very willing horse and he can lead or take a sit but if you hold him up too much, he pulls. And, if he pulls, he's vulnerable.

"He's got a lovely barrier draw again (No 6) and he can roll in the first three. If he's left alone in front, he'll go in front. If not, he'll follow the pace. I've concentrated at Happy Valley for the Challenge and he's raced well all season and we'll probably freshen him a little bit and train him as a Sha Tin horse later in the season."