After the announcement that two of his sons will take over the family’s famous Lindsay Park operation in Australia, David Hayes would love nothing more than to cap off a big week by capturing his second BMW Hong Kong Derby.

The 58-year-old took out the city’s most prestigious race in 2003 with Elegant Fashion before returning to Australia in 2005 and now finds himself right in the mix in his first season back in Hong Kong with a two-pronged attack in the form of Shadow Hero and Conqueror.

Hayes is convinced the fundamentals of winning the Derby remain the same – it is vital to get the lead-up right.

“The four-year-old series wasn’t around back then so it is a better lead-up for them now and it is more exciting than it used to be,” he said of the Classic Series.

“You had to run well in the lead-ups to be a good chance back then and I think [Shadow Hero] ran well in the lead-ups, that hasn’t changed over the years.

“Like winning most big races – unless there is a surprise – you need to perform well leading up to it.”

With significant changes at the Lindsay Park operation back home this week, Hayes is proud to see Ben and JD at the helm following the departure of nephew Tom Dabernig.

“One door closes and another one opens,” he said. “It reads a bit like it happened overnight but we have known since around Christmas.

“We had a family meeting after they had a great spring and Tom said he wasn’t sure if it was for him.

“It’s really good to have JD there, he has had a senior role in the set-up for ages. The boys are well prepared and have the same old team behind them along with the same property.”

With top-rated Lindsay Park-trained three-year-old’s Aysar and Crosshaven likely to make their way to Hong Kong to be trained by Hayes, it has become a fine balancing act when it comes to supporting both operations.

“Subject to vet, I have Crosshaven and Aysar coming here which are two of the better ones which isn’t ideal but they went on the market so I wanted to make sure they stayed under the banner,” he said.

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While he continues to build his team for the 2022 Derby, Hayes saddles up one of the favourites in Sunday’s event in two-time Group One winner Shadow Hero, who will be ridden again by Zac Purton.

The son of Pierro ran fifth and third in the Classic Mile and Classic Cup respectively and the handler believes he will peak at his favoured 2,000m trip.

“I think he’s in the best shape he’s been since he’s been here,” he said. “Overall, his coat looks the best, he is at a preferred distance with a good lead-up, the right lead-up.

“I was very happy with his trial, I feel like he could have dominated the trial if we let him.

“He is a Group One winner over the mile in Australia but I think at the Hong Kong tempo, 2,000m will suit him better.

“I thought his mile race was good because the tactics were all wrong and then over the 1,800m race he got given a 10 out of 10 ride by Zac and got beaten a head.”

Conqueror will be ridden by Keith Yeung Ming-lun while Hayes also saddles up the likes of Master Montaro and Fantastic Treasure on the day.