With the world’s best sprinter Ka Ying Rising enjoying a well-deserved holiday, trainer David Hayes will be relying on his other speedsters Tomodachi Kokoroe and Romantic Son in Sunday’s feature sprint, the Group Three Sha Tin Vase (1,200m).

It will be a change of pace for Tomodachi Kokoroe, who landed the Group Two Premier Bowl (1,200m) in a whirlwind start to his campaign, before finding things tougher in Group One company and off big weights in handicaps.

Romantic Son has been doing his best work at Happy Valley, winning a trio of races at the city circuit this campaign, and will sport first-time blinkers on Sunday as he looks to get off the mark at Sha Tin.

“They’ve both probably got to run to their best, or run personal bests, to be winning a race like this, but they’re healthy and well,” Hayes said. “Romantic Son is consistent and he has the blinkers on first time, which I think will help him.

“It’s an easier race for Tomodachi, it’s a good result that he’s not going to look up and see Ka Ying Rising in front of him. I still think he’s got a win in him at some stage.”

Perhaps Hayes’ best chance of a winner on the card is stout stayer Star Brose, who looks to double his career tally in the Class Four Hong Kong Federation of Huichow Associations Cup (2,000m).

His sole win so far came at Happy Valley, but he was a very good third over course and distance three starts ago and has not enjoyed the rub of the green in two subsequent starts. Hayes is hoping barrier seven and Zac Purton can take luck out of the equation.

“Star Brose has had no luck, but he’s been going well despite that and if he draws a good gate, he’s going to have a terrific chance. Zac Purton rides him, so he should be in a much more forward position,” Hayes said.

Among other chances of a Sunday winner is Turin Champions, who has run well without winning since breaking through at Sha Tin in January.

He goes up in grade for the Class Three General Association of Hong Kong Heyuan Societies Cup (1,600m), while Turbo Jefferies will be hoping to match his trial form when he looks to improve his race runs in the Class Four Hong Kong Federation of Guangzhou Associations Cup (1,200m).

“Turin Champions will appreciate the light weight up in Class Three and he’s been in good, consistent form,” Hayes said.

“Turbo Jefferies hasn’t run to the form he’s shown in the trials as of yet, but I still think he’s got a bit of improvement left in him.”

On a busy day for Hayes, he also fields Secret Ingredient, Talents Champion, Gallant Bounty, Ka Ying Radiance, Kansas and Positive Smile.