I sincerely hope that you enjoyed this year’s edition of the BMW Hong Kong Derby. It was a wonderful day at Sha Tin, turnover was a Derby meeting record, attendance was level with last year – the third highest overall, and the atmosphere was incredibly festive. I’d like to offer my sincere thanks again to BMW, who is a perfect strategic partner for the Derby.
Donnie Yen, our Derby ambassador, had a tremendous time and was incredibly engaging with our racing fans and even Derby winning jockey Ryan Moore. He is really the best ambassador for the Derby, not only appearing at our events, but really actively promoting the race through his social media posts to his many followers around the world. He posted videos during the day at Sha Tin to share across his various platforms, which includes 10 million followers on Weibo, 3 million on Facebook and 1 million on Instagram. It is great for racing and the Derby to have Donnie so engaged.
The history books are in need of a few updates following the Derby. Our newest “star” – Ping Hai Star – put forth a sublime run from off the pace, produced by jockey Ryan Moore at his finest, and was a testament to the wonderful work of trainer John Size in preparing this gelding.
Ping Hai Star hopped in the air slightly at the start and found himself near the back of the field in the first 50m. Ryan Moore said after the race that when Rivet was bustled to show some speed and improve his early position, before the horses even crossed the line for the first time, Ping Hai Star pulled ever so slightly before Moore was able to grab a hold of the New Zealand-bred gelding and immediately settle him. This was, quite possibly, the winning move of the race.
I had mentioned in my pre-race blog that with Ping Hai Star emerging from three wins over 1400m and a 1700m barrier trial in which he pulled his way to the front in the early stages, he might not be able to settle well in this longer race and it could cause some issues seeing out the 2000m. I believe that barrier trial may have been a key to success in the race as it might have taken the edge off the eventual Derby winner, allowing him to settle well. Our nine-time Champion Trainer John Size had Ping Hai Star just right, and that hop at the gate break, combined with Moore’s deft handling in the first 100m enabled him to sit patiently at the back of the pack behind a solid early pace.
When Moore unleashed Ping Hai Star, the response was overwhelming, running a final 400m in 21.99s and stopping the clock in 2:01.18s, which made it the fastest running of the Derby since the race moved to 2000m.
Ping Hai Star’s preparation into the Derby win was far from traditional. He became the first horse to win the Derby since it has been run at 2000m following a prep run shorter than 1600m. It reminds a bit of 1997 Derby winner Oriental Express, who won a 1200m handicap in his Hong Kong debut before winning the Derby, which was then run at 1800m. Of course, Oriental Express had enjoyed success over longer trips prior to being imported to Hong Kong. Ping Hai Star had no such longer distance grounding, which makes this win even more impressive.
I must also share some thoughts on a few of the other horses from the race. Singapore Sling has proven a model of consistency, running second in the Classic Mile and the Derby with a Classic Cup win in between, and looks a very promising horse moving forward. He has earned HK$13.9 million from just five starts here in Hong Kong after having spent six months out of training while shipping from South Africa and is a fantastic example for the high quality horses that are produced there.
Exultant has proven equally consistent, with strong runs in all three races of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series. The Golden Age continues to give his all, as well, going forward and running admirably with a third and fifth in the Classic Cup and Derby, respectively. Ruthven also did well to run fourth having been close to the strong early pace and seems to be improving. Many of these horses also feature in the free entries for our big spring Group 1 races – the Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup, Champions Mile and Chairman’s Sprint Prize, which are being announced today.
Racing returns to Happy Valley tonight as we have eight races on the card and tonight’s fifth race is The Hong Kong Exchanges Challenge Cup, which originated in 1986, and is run for Class 3 sprinters. The pace is expected to be fast with Orionids, California Aspar, Best Step, Phantom Falcon and Who Else But You all going forward to make the running.
Back In Black can benefit from pace scenario as he is well drawn and was a five-time Happy Valley winner in his first season in Hong Kong, peaking in the ratings at 86. Though he is winless in his last 18 races, this is a good spot for him to rally down the middle of the track and be in the fight at the finish. He is a win and place chance.
Orionids and Falcon Turbo are both newcomers to Happy Valley, well drawn, and with the benefit of a trial over the course. Orionids has been drawn wide in each of his three starts this season but is rounding to form now whilst Falcon Turbo figures to improve in his second start in Hong Kong. Fantastic Feeling, a consistent performer at Happy Valley, is another horse that is hitting top form and is a place chance over this course and distance.
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