News

Inglis R2R grad Rubylot comes from last to win Hong Kong Classic Cup

2nd Mar 2025

Exciting 4YO Rubylot (Rubick) scored a spectacular win in tonight’s prestigious Hong Kong Classic Cup at Sha Tin, coming from last to secure a memorable victory.

The David Hayes trainee has earned himself a reputation of being one of the most consistent young horses in Hong Kong – he has now won six of his 18 career starts with a further eight minor placings for $HK15.5m in prizemoney.

Rubylot is a graduate of the 2022 Inglis Ready2Race Sale, where Dean Hawthorne purchased him out of the Woodpark Stud draft for $100,000.

He won a barrier trial in Victoria four months later, which led to him being transferred to Hong Kong.

“We loved his breeze up, just the way he hit the line, he was never off the bridle,’’ Hawthorne recalled.

“He was such a beautifully balanced horse, he walked really, really well.

“He was bought purely on type and his breeze up, for a Lindsay Park client, and obviously ended up in Hong Kong with David [Hayes].’’

JD Hayes added: “He went into our system and was always a lovely horse and he won the trial and ended up in Hong Kong and really has kicked some goals.

“It’s a great result for the Lindsay Park system and I’m sure dad will be enjoying this one up there tonight.’’

Rubylot is the third consecutive Inglis graduate to win the Classic Cup, following on from Super Sunny Sing (2023) and Helios Express (2024).

Rubylot was ridden by Australian jockey Brenton Avdulla tonight, who added: “It’s always nice to win big races. Hayesy had the horse spot on, we got a nice run through and I was confident at the 250m that he was going to get the job done.

“I have no doubt that if he drew a gate in the [Hong Kong Classic] Mile he’d have gone very close, I was just back in no man’s land and he still ran home in good sectionals.

“I was confident enough to stick with him up to the 1800m and I thought the draw was a bit tricky again but I just rode him quiet…and to his credit, the horse found the line really well. Bring on the Derby.’’

The third and final leg of the Hong Kong 4YO Series is the Hong Kong Derby, to be run at Sha Tin on March 23.