With star sprinter Ka Ying Rising set to bypass the Classic Mile, David Hayes is pinning his hopes on Rubylot leading his stable’s charge towards the first leg of the four-year-old series.

Rubylot emerged as a Classic Series prospect with a terrific debut season, notching three wins and seven placings from 12 starts, before adding to his reputation with a scintillating first-up triumph on his seasonal return.

The son of Rubick gets another chance to press his Classic Mile claims when he tackles Sunday’s Class Two Racing Club Cup (1,400m) at Sha Tin, in what will be his final run before the January 31 feature.

After storming home to deliver Bottomuptogether his first career defeat over 1,200m in September, Rubylot produced a below-par seventh behind Green N White in the Class Two Panasonic Cup (1,400m).

But he bounced back emphatically on his most recent appearance, relishing a more patient ride to charge from near last and run second, beaten a neck, to leading Classic Mile fancy Packing Hermod over 1,400m.

“He would have won in one more stride last start,” Hayes said.

“I reckon he’ll run really well on Sunday. His trial was excellent and he’s on trial for the Classic Mile. He won’t join in early, but he’ll join in late.”

Brenton Avdulla hops back aboard Rubylot after capitalising on the late pickup ride, replacing the indisposed Hugh Bowman, to boot him home first up.

Lyle Hewitson rode Rubylot last start, but the South African has regained the prized mount on Francis Lui Kin-wai’s Packing Hermod.

There is a five-pound swing in Rubylot’s favour from his previous clash with Packing Hermod, who must defy top weight of 130 pounds and a wide draw in barrier 11 on Sunday.

Rubylot jumps from barrier two in a strong event that also features Classic Mile hopes Johannes Brahms and Divano, Tourbillon Prince on a hat-trick for Benno Yung Tin-pang, last-start Class Two winner Dancing Code and classy gallopers Sunlight Power and Young Champion.

Hayes is also optimistic Rubylot will stretch out to the other two legs of the four-year-old series, the Classic Cup over 1,800m and BMW Hong Kong Derby over 2,000m.

“He’s a progressive horse and he’ll get better at a mile and further, so we’ve been training him that way,” the Australian handler said.

“He’ll come out of this race finishing hard and hopefully winning. But if he’s running on, I’ll be happy, and then on to the Classic Mile.”

Fantastic Treasure will also represent Hayes in The Racing Club Cup in pursuit of his first triumph since September 2022.

The seven-year-old drops in grade after running last of 11 in the Group Three Chinese Club Challenge Cup (1,400m) on New Year’s Day.

Elsewhere on Sunday’s card, the Hayes-trained Storm Rider can make a late bid for a Classic Mile berth if he wins the Class Three Pak Shek Au Handicap (1,600m).

Needing to boost his rating of 70 to sneak into Classic Mile contention, Storm Rider steps up to the mile after a terrific run last start when beaten a head by Tourbillon Prince in second.

Sunday’s race is restricted to four-year-olds and features prominent Classic Mile hopes including Mickley, Markwin, Steps Ahead and Fast Network.

Hayes, who sits fourth on the trainers’ championship with 23 wins this term, has loaded up with 12 runners on Sunday’s 10-race card.

Falcon Court, Positive Smile, Regent Glory, Fantastic Honour, Oriental Smoke, Swagger Bro, Awesome Treasure, I P O Bros and Stellar Swift are his other starters.