Hungry Hayes enjoys starter

 

Jockey Bags A Double On Opening Day

 

Shailendra Awasthi | TNN

 

Mumbai: Irish jockey Christopher Denis Hayes was indeed hungry. The 23-year-old just had a glass of water and half-a-cup of tea since morning but he satiated his cravings by grabbing the feature race of the Mumbai season when he rode Vijay Mallya-owned Ciel Indienne to an easy victory in the Maharaja Of Morvi Trophy at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse on Sunday.

   “I had to ride two horses at low weight today so I couldn’t have afforded to eat. I’m glad that I managed to score a double from four rides,’’ said the man who weighs 51 kg and stands 5’2.
 

   Hayes, who has been retained by Mallya, is on his fourth visit to India. He had a fantastic start this season by notching up a treble on his first day on track at Bangalore on Saturday and Ireland-born jockey sustained that momentum on Sunday too.
 

   “I have ridden this horse (Ciel Indienne) four times last year, winning one while finishing on board in others,’’ said Hayes who said he was well aware that favourite Sunset Boulevard was a tough challenger. “My horse is a very relaxed. I could hear Sunset Boulevard coming but I knew my horse would stay ahead,’’ said Hayes. “I didn’t want to come hard on Ciel Indienne as the colt is probably going to take part in Hyderabad 2000 Guineas soon. I wanted him to be easy,’’ said Hayes.
 

   Son of a small-time horse owner Patrick in Ireland, Hayes always wanted to be a rider and became a pony rider at age 13. He developed into a horse race jockey three years later. He won three apprentice championships in a row in 2004, ‘05 and ‘06. He is currently employed by Lady O’Reilly, a big time owner in Ireland.
 

   India has been a second home for Irish jockeys. One such great rider, Mike Kinane, suggested Hayes’ name to Zyen Mirza, the racing manager of Mallya and that brought Hayes to India three years ago.
 

   “Mumbai is simply the best centre in India and has a great long homestretch which provides a fair chance to all,’’ opined Hayes. But one thing that Hayes dofesn’t like in India is its spicy food. “I got stomach upset in my first year and has never dared to eat Indian food since. I only eat continental stuff,’’ says Hayes.