Success in the face of adversity has long been one of life’s enduring themes. The same holds true for horse racing, particularly over the past two seasons in Hong Kong, where COVID has impacted all aspects of our community.
In the circumstances, the Club is especially pleased to stage the HK$24 million BMW Hong Kong Derby at Sha Tin on Sunday. The Classic, with a rich history stretching back to 1873, is the high point of the Hong Kong racing season.
That we are able to assemble such an intriguing and evenly-matched field is a source of pride for the Club given the insidious nature of the virus, not to mention the myriad logistical challenges it has presented over the past 13 months.
The Club has relied heavily on all participants – trainers, jockeys, Owners, customers and our staff – in a collaboration which does justice to the fabled Hong Kong ‘can-do’ spirit and, with that in mind, this year’s Derby shapes to deliver a palpable sense of celebration and relief.
Indeed, this year’s BMW Derby is, in my view, the most open Derby I have witnessed in the last 20 years and, in the absence of a dominant horse such as Golden Sixty, last year’s champion, it is truly a race of opportunity. John Size summed it up perfectly this week when he suggested the best way to view the 2021 Derby was through the prism of it being a contest between a field of very good horses.
In that context, too, it should be remembered that Golden Sixty’s winning margin over Playa Del Puente was a neck – proof, as if it were needed, that nothing should ever be presumed in racing.
With the battle continuing against the virus, it is unfortunate that we cannot host all of our valued customers at Sha Tin for this year’s Derby but with continued dedication to biosecurity protocols, the Club remains hopeful of a return to race-day normality – sooner than later.
We have worked hard to create an unusual bubble in Hong Kong racing and we cannot afford a lapse after so many months of the discipline and professionalism, which has allowed us to continue operating, albeit in less than preferred circumstances.
I feel for our racing fans who would have loved to attend the BMW Hong Kong Derby and I can fully understand their disappointment at not being able to do so. I hope that we will soon be granted permission for the public to attend our race meetings going forward in arrangements similar to those which have been granted to our friends from Football.
I wish all of our connections the best of luck in the Derby and I hope the 2021 version of this most prestigious race will be a worthy celebration – and reward – for all of the efforts made by so many people to allow us to stage tomorrow’s contest.
The 2021 BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) is the eighth race of the day and a fascinating puzzle as many of the participants will attempt to tackle the distance for the first time.
With much discussion around tactics, the most likely scenario is that the pace will be similar to the Classic Cup with the first sectionals being on the slow side. This could result in a “sit and sprint race”, which will favour the horses in front and make it difficult for horses coming from behind to catch the leading brigade and even horses with limited stamina would be able to contend.
This may provoke some daring tactics involving horses with more stamina with the possibility to make mid-race moves. For me, the constellation of this year’s BMW Derby is fascination and exciting.
Silver Express with Matthew Chadwick for John Size looks the most likely leader as he makes a significant step up in trip from 1400m to 2000m but on the female side of his pedigree one can find a lot of stamina.
He has drawn the inside gate and will have the opportunity to relax through the early sections. He was impressive in his debut win but, in my view, he may be one race short in his preparation to run fast sectionals in the last 400m.While he has a bright future, and he won well last start, I am reluctant to make him a win chance but he could still be placed.
Russian Emperor with Karis Teetan and trained by Douglas Whyte has a royal pedigree and is a proven performer over the distance, having won a Group 3 at Royal Ascot and came alive in his third Hong Kong start with blinkers applied for the first time. He had to come very wide in the Classic Cup yet still finished strongly, running the fastest section of 22.31 seconds despite hanging in and with his proven stamina he is my first choice for a win and place.
Shadow Hero, trained by David Hayes, is a dual Group 1 winner in Australia and one of his Group 1 successes was over the Derby distance of 2000m.
His last race in the Classic Cup was good, running the last section in 22.59 seconds. His trackwork is excellent and he should find a good position behind the leaders in midfield and having a big race jockey with Zac Purton on board makes him a win and place chance, too.
Excellent Proposal (Blake Shinn) had to come very wide in the Classic Cup and finished strongly. His sectional of 22.33 seconds shows his ability to quicken and he is working very well and, trained by John Size, he cannot be ruled out for a win or at least a place.
Tourbillion Diamond, who is trained by Danny Shum, had to come very wide in the Classic Cup and finished well. The same scenario is likely from his draw of gate 11 and Vincent Ho has to be at his very best to catch up with the horses in front of him. I see him as a place chance.
Alexis Badel rode Healthy Happy, who is trained by Frankie Lor, to perfection in the Classic Cup and from the good draw he will try to do the same. One should not underestimate Healthy Happy but it will be even more difficult this time to hold onto the lead.
Sky Darci was very unlucky in the Classic Cup without clear running until the 50m to finish 7th. Caspar Fownes as a trainer is full of confidence due to the class of Sky Darci, who has the highest rating of 103. His excellent trackwork and the fact he will be ridden by the ‘Magic Man’ Joao Moreira makes him a place chance despite doubts about his stamina.
The dark horse, in my opinion, is Panfield, who will be perfectly placed just behind the leaders and Tony Millard has already trained two Derby winners in his career in Hong Kong.
I would not be surprised if Chad Schofield is instructed to make use of the proven stamina of three-time Chilean Group 1 winner, with wins over 2000m and 2400m, to put some pressure on the leaders in mid-race to test if the leaders can stay the distance of 2000m.
If either Silver Express or Lucky Express win, Larry Yung will become the first owner to win three Derbies.
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