“I wasn’t actually coming to the sale because Ka Ying Rising is trialling on Friday,” Hayes said.
“But Mr Gao asked if I could pick a few horses out that might be suitable for Hong Kong one day, so here we are.”
Hayes has only recently met Gao, who was in attendance at The Everest, won by Ka Ying Rising.
“Jin Tian, the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s representative who helps look after owners from mainland China, said Mr Gao was keen to meet,” Hayes said.
“I asked Mr Gao what his budget was and he said just try to find the ones you like, don’t worry too much about the budget.
“The plan is these horses will go back to Lindsay Park, as Ka Ying Rising did from New Zealand, and they will be assessed.
“Then the most suitable one for Hong Kong will possibly go up to Hong Kong and the other one will probably race in Australia with the boys.”
Hayes credited bloodstock agent Dean Hawthorne with providing a good list of horses to see at Karaka, and he was delighted to secure the two top colts.
“Satono Aladdin has incredible figures in the Southern Hemisphere with 12% stakes winners to runners, which is elite, and Per Incanto works everywhere,” he said.
“Dean knows what we like, and he found a group of about 30 horses to have a second look at, and they were two of our favourites and maybe there is one more tomorrow.
“No doubt Ka Ying Rising has been incredible for business, like Mr Brightside has been for the boys – both good Kiwi horses.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s International Sale/Owners Advisory Services executive manager, Danny Rolston, along with Jin Tian, Mainland Owners Advisory Services deputy executive manager, were also on hand at Karaka.
“We have quite a focus on developing our ownership base in the Mainland and the club, in collaboration with New Zealand Bloodstock, has arranged a tour here to the Ready To Run Sale to assist some of our new owners that want a supported visit,” Rolston said.
“We have worked with our guests in collaboration with the Hong Kong trainers.
“This particular owner has not yet got a permit for racing in Hong Kong but he will be in the ballot next year and ideally one or both will come up to Hong Kong.
“Our CEO has made no secret about the future of Hong Kong and the growth opportunities within the Mainland.”
The introduction of owner and trainer was made by Jin Tian and the Mainland Ownership team.
“The owner is crystal clear that even if he buys horses, there is no guarantee that he will get a permit in the ballot next year and hence he is happy to have the horses go through the Lindsay Park system in Australia,” Tian said.
“The owner was at the Everest meeting a few weeks ago and this is a story of racetrack success leading to sales ring success.”
– LOVERACING.NZ News Desk