For the second year in a row, the BMW Hong Kong Derby, a glittering flagship contest of the highest quality, will be staged against the backdrop of a now familiar scourge – COVID-19.
But while the pandemic continues to present serious challenges, it is with an overwhelming sense of positivity in keeping with Hong Kong’s can-do spirit that we look to Sunday’s HK$24 million Classic with enormous excitement and anticipation.
Months of planning on behalf of owners and trainers will be put to the test in a race which has captured the imagination of the Hong Kong community since 1873 and in the absence of a clear-cut favourite, Thursday’s barrier draw will be pivotal.
Of the 21 Derbies staged since 2000, there is a clear pattern in evidence – horses drawn inside gate 10 have a distinct advantage at the 2000m start. Barrier three with four victories is the most successful, followed by gates nine and 10 with three wins each. Golden Sixty jumped from barrier nine last year under Vincent Ho.
One Derby anomaly is that no horse has won the Derby from barriers one, five or eight over the last two decades. More broadly, statistics from the 2000m start taken from the 2018/19 season until now on the ‘A’ course show gate one (22 percent winning strike rate), three (17 percent) and eight (18 percent) are the most successful.
In a field considered the most wide-open in memory, these statistics could be worth bearing in mind when the starter summons the field forward for what shapes to be another memorable renewal of Hong Kong’s most coveted race.
There are so many storylines embedded in this race of opportunity and fame – and it will doubtlessly be a matter of good fortune and inspired split-second decision-making on behalf of jockeys which will ultimately decide which horse will join the honour roll of Derby champions.
With the Derby approaching quickly, the Club continues to maintain the most stringent observance of public health measures, including temperature screening for patrons before entry into Sha Tin Racecourse. Our customers will also have to fill in health declaration forms and, of course, wear face masks during the meeting.
The war against the pandemic obliges the Club to continue world’s best practice with social distancing and the application of all health protocols, including regular COVID testing for those inside the racing bubble.
The Club had hoped to open some of our racecourse venues for the public to enjoy the BMW Hong Kong Derby but the necessary extension of social distancing measures by the Government until the end of the month has unfortunately forced us to abandon these plans.
I am still hopeful that we could start admitting members of the public to our racecourses in April but that will depend on the COVID situation at the time.
Naturally, I hope all elements of Hong Kong life will eventually return to normality. For me, the staging of the 2021 Derby is testament to all the measures put in place since January last year and the unstinting support of the Club’s valued customers and the SAR Government.
On Wednesday night, the Class 2 Chester Handicap (1200 metres) is the final race of the meeting and one that will be run at a good tempo. Handsome Bo Bo (Alexis Badel) and We The South (Vagner Borges) will use their speed from outside gates to make the running along with last-start winner Igniting (Matthew Poon). Kurpany (Joao Moreira) will secure a nice spot from his inside draw and a number of horses will bunch up around midfield in what promises to be a tactical race on the C course.
Winning Method (Matthew Chadwick) makes his first start at Happy Valley this season and drops back in trip to 1200. These are two positives in my view and I make him a place chance under the light weight.
Igniting is in career best form, having won two from his last three. He steps up in grade, loves the track and distance and figures to have no issue with crossing over to secure a forward position. He is a win and place chance. Will Power (Karis Teetan) went very close in this grade in his lone try at the Valley and is a place chance. Kurpany had his best chance compromised slightly when bumped at the start three weeks ago and will get a second try over this trip. He is in good Valley form and is also a place chance.
Winning Method, Igniting and Kurpany are three of five horses in the race eligible for the Club’s HK$1 million High Achievement Bonus.
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