Photo: Trish Dunell
David Hayes will saddle Conqueror in Sunday's BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) at Sha Tin.
The son of Fastnet Rock was a solid fourth in an 1800m Class 2 behind Butterfield on 7 March, 2021.
“Conqueror ran a good race last start and his trackwork with Shadow Hero on Tuesday morning on the course proper was really good. He’ll get the blinkers back on – I think he’s a better horse in blinkers,” Hayes said.
“His run in the winkers was good, but he sort of dropped the bit with 600m to run and lost concentration.
“He finished off very well but you can’t do that – lose concentration – in a Derby, of course, so the blinkers will be a plus.”
Hayes said Thursday’s (18 March) official barrier draw would be crucial.
“The barriers will be most important, more a factor than normal,” the Australian Hall of Fame handler said.
Bred by the China Horse Club, Conqueror is out of Group One winning mare Diademe and was knocked down to Lindsay Park Racing and Mark Pilkington Management for $1,000,000 at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock yearling sales. - HKJC
