Straight Arron (135lb) must overcome a hefty impost in Sunday’s (8 February) HK$4.2 million G3 Centenary Vase Handicap (1800m) at Sha Tin, but trainer David Hayes believes the step back in grade can prove to be a decisive factor for the contest’s highest-rated runner.

Preparing to face six opponents, seven-year-old Straight Arron tops the field, rated 110 against Beauty Joy (134lb), last year’s winner Chancheng Glory (132lb), Encountered (126lb), Speed Dragon (126lb), Ensued (125lb) and Numbers (115lb). 

Three of the past five Centenary Vase winners have carried 115lb or less. Frankie Lor’s Four-Year-Old Classic Series aspirant Numbers, an exciting one-time victor in Hong Kong who placed at Group 1 level pre-import in Australia, carries the featherweight due to his 90-rating.

Hayes, a dual Hong Kong Champion Trainer (1997/98 & 1998/99), said of Straight Arron: “I think the class will come through. If he has a good day, he can compete at this level. He’s back to his class in Group 3 racing – he’s probably a Group 3 horse.”

Straight Arron was seventh and eighth, respectively, behind Romantic Warrior in the HK$40 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) and HK$13 million G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m). He was fourth in successive Group 2 races beforehand. 

“He was a bit disappointing (last start), but he was racing against the elite. I think he will really appreciate the drop in class, and his trackwork has been good. His work on Tuesday (3 February) was very good,” Hayes said.

Raced by Karen Lo, who also owns Cap Ferrat, two-time Group 2 winner Straight Arron clocked 1m 22.5s (31.4, 28.7, 22.4) at Sha Tin on Tuesday morning. The Fastnet Rock gelding has five career wins in Hong Kong for HK$21.76 million in earnings.

Straight Arron’s biggest scalps are the 2023 HK$5.35 million G2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup (2000m) and 2025 HK$5.35 million G2 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m). Dylan Browne McMonagle rides the bay from gate four on Sunday. 

Hayes saddles four-year-olds Fortune Boy (120lb) and Supreme Mastermind (115lb) in the Class 3 Yau Oi Handicap (1800m).

“I think he’ll (Fortune Boy) step up on the weekend – he’s in great form. He’s always strong, and he has form around Invincible Ibis. I think he’s better than Class 3,” Hayes said.

Fortune Boy links with Brenton Avdulla in barrier two, while Keith Yeung is on Supreme Mastermind, drawn in six, who finished a fast-closing fourth at Sha Tin two starts ago. 

Shamus Storm (118lb) takes aim at the Class 3 Yan Tin Handicap (1400m) for Hayes, stepping from gate six with Maxime Guyon aboard. The Shamus Award four-year-old injured his right fore ligament following his first-up sixth last October over this course and distance.

Hayes said: “He got injured after his first-up run, and he had an easy time. He’s going in off one trial and a big break, so I would think whatever he does will be improved on.”

Hayes also saddles Lucky Secret, All Round Winner, Ryui Kokoroe and Let’s Have Fun.

Sunday’s (8 February) 11-race fixture at Sha Tin begins at 12.30pm with the Class 5 Fu Tai Handicap (1400m).