Earlier today we announced 14 selected runners for the 2018 BMW Hong Kong Derby, the HK$18 million event on 18 March which offers one Owner a chance at once-in-a-lifetime glory. After the first clean sweep in the Four-Year-Old Classic Series last year from Rapper Dragon, two horses have claimed victory in the first two legs this year – Nothingilikemore and Singapore Sling with wins in the Hong Kong Classic Mile and Classic Cup, respectively. See the selected runners below.
Exultant, a winner over the Derby trip of 2000m back in December at Sha Tin when facing a wide and unsettled trip, looks incredibly promising over a return to what is likely his best distance. Last year’s Derby winning connections bring Ruthven, a winner over 1800m on Saturday, up to 2000m, which seems a distance he is more likely to appreciate having won the Queensland Derby over 2200m. The Golden Age will likely be a front-runner in the Derby, having shown much speed in all of his starts this season. He led throughout much of the Classic Cup and seems a likely pace presence in the Derby as well.
I was at the barrier trials yesterday and, as many of you know, six of the Derby selected runners trialed in Batch 8. The Golden Age won the trial from the front. Nothingilikemore looked solid, but not special, and importantly he did not miss the start as happened in the Classic Cup. Exultant looked good and seems to be more relaxed with the cross nose band on. Talking to Zac Purton afterwards, he is confident in Exultant as he believes he has the best stayer in the race. Purton respects Singapore Sling a lot because he has tactical speed and can accelerate. The race is shaping up well and it will be quite exciting.
Tonight is the first of our Irish-themed Happy Wednesday parties, and the feature is the Ireland Trophy Handicap, which is a Class 3 event over 1200m and goes as the seventh of eight races. In this race, the pace is expected to be good with Dashing Gainer and Healthy Luck likely to go forward with Extremely Fun and Most Beautiful tracking. Lotus Breeze and Smart Boy should be next with Good Companion nearby, but at risk of a wide run. Spring Win could also be caught wide, though potentially with some cover. Radiant Bunny is likely to be rear of midfield with Fantastic Feeling and Navas near the rear.
This is a very competitive event and I can see seven or eight potential winners. Spring Win deserves plenty of attention following his last three efforts which have been strong. He has shown great improvement since going to Happy Valley but will have to deal with barrier 12 tonight. So far this season, horses starting from gates 9 through 12 over the A Course in Happy Valley 1200m races are a combined 1-for-84, and may just be a place chance for me. Lotus Breeze is back at his preferred distance, having recorded six of his seven Hong Kong first or second placings at the 1200m trip. With a good draw tonight he holds win and place claims and might just be my narrow selection. Most Beautiful has enjoyed three consecutive placings of late and while he is winless in Hong Kong thus far, he could step forward with a smoother trip from a good barrier. Navas has shown improvement in recent starts when in Class 4 and has a good draw, though is back in Class 3, and is a placing chance. Extremely Fun has put in two decent efforts since an early-season break and now gets a lower weight with apprentice Matthew Poon on board, which could help him tonight.
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