Group 1 placegetter Dibayani will arrive in Australia at the end of the month and is set to join the Euroa-based stable of David Hayes and Tom Dabernig.
David Hayes said that he is delighted to acquire Hong Kong-based Group 1 placegetter Dibayani. Photo by: Taron Clarke
Dibayani made his racing debut under the care of Mick Halford in 2012 and he won his second race start before he finished third in both the Listed Canford Cliffs Stakes (1499m) at Tipperary and the Listed Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Trial Stakes (1609m) at Leopardstown.
The Shamardal entire began his 2013 racing season with a fourth place finish in the Listed Leopardstown 2000 Guineas Trial Stakes (1609m) and a second place finish behind leading stayer Leading Light at Navan before he was purchased by Hong Kong-based owners after he beat Count Of Limonade to take out the Listed King George V Cup (2212m) in June of 2013.
Dibayani made his racing debut in Hong with a fourth place finish in the Chek Keng Handicap (1400m) at Sha Tin on December 29 and he was quickly thrown in at the deep end at Group 1 level, but he proved up to the task when he finished third behind Able Friend and Designs On Rome in the Group 1 Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) on January 19.
He finished third again behind the talented duo in the Group 1 Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on March 16 before he finished fifth behind Designs On Rome in the Group 1 The Audemars Piguet QEII Cup (2400m) on May 25.
Dibayani went closest to recording his maiden win at Group 1 level when he finished second behind Blazing Speed in the Group 1 The Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) on May 25, but was found to have bled from both nostrils when he finished at the tail of the field when he returned to racing in the Group 2 Sha Tin Trophy (1600mm) on October 26.
David Hayes told TVN this morning that he is extremely impressed with the form around Dibayani and said that he was looking forward to training the talented entire when he arrives in Australia.
“He’s not here yet, but he is coming,” Hayes said.
“If he gets back to his Able Friend and Designs On Rome form, he’s got great formlines and he’s a really good pick-up.
“I’m looking forward to getting him and I think a country environment will help him.”
Hayes does not have any firm plans for Dibayani when he arrives in Australia, but indicated that the five-year-old may be saved for a 2015 Spring Racing Carnival campaign.
