History will record the 2021 BMW Hong Kong Derby as one of the most significant and dramatic in the Classic’s 148-year tenure.
Not only was Sky Darci’s gripping victory over Russian Emperor decided by one of the narrowest margins recorded in the race – a head – but it also marked the first time the BMW Hong Kong Derby had been claimed by a horse who had been stabled at Conghua Racecourse before triumphing in Hong Kong’s most prestigious race.
Caspar Fownes is leading the Hong Kong trainers’ championship with 54 wins for 2020/21 – one more than John Size with 53 – and Caspar also leads the prizemoney table with HK$95.1 million to John’s HK$89.8 million.
BMW Hong Kong Derby victory took Caspar above John in both the trainers’ championship and prizemoney earned to date this season as the pair’s intriguing battle for 2020/21 supremacy continues.
Caspar’s decision to send Sky Darci back to Conghua between 4 March and 11 March – returning only 10 days until the Derby – was inspired and brave.
For me, Joao Moreira’s ride was the difference between victory and defeat in a race which will live in memory as a gripping contest. His ability to take advantage of a perfect draw before getting Sky Darci to settle beautifully, conserving precious energy, and then taking a crucial inside run before sprinting quickly paved the way for the ultimate success.
The importance of Joao’s ride is measured in the sectional times over the final 800m of the first four in the Derby – Sky Darci (46.81s) was the slowest of the quartet with Russian Emperor charging home in 46.77s, Panfield in 46.46s and Excellent Proposal in 46.43s. Excellent Proposal also unleashed the best last 400m of the group in 23.11s.
While nothing can be taken away from Sky Darci, Russian Emperor was terrific in defeat, Panfield’s effort to get so close from a wide draw was exceptional and Excellent Proposal ran another honest race.
Another notable aspect of the BMW Hong Kong Derby surrounds the continued success of New Zealand-bred gallopers in the race.
Bought for NZ$160,000 at the Karaka 2018 sale, Sky Darci is the fifth horse either bred or sourced in New Zealand to win the Derby in the past six years, including Werther (Tavistock) in 2016, Ping Hai Star (Nom du Jeu) in 2018, Furore (Pierro) in 2019 and Golden Sixty (Medaglia d’Oro) last year.
Indeed, NZ has produced 17 BMW Hong Kong Derby winners in the past 36 years, which speaks to the wonders of the Land Of The Long White Cloud’s fertile volcanic soil. These pastures provide a wonderful start for horses and is, I’m sure, one of the factors why Kiwi-raised gallopers can out-run their pedigrees.
While Derby runner-up Russian Emperor, by super sire Galileo out of champion Australian mare Atlantic Jewel, was foaled in Ireland and third place-getter Panfield started his racing career in Chile, the New Zealand statistics are compelling.
On Wednesday night, The Class 3 Junction Handicap over 1650 metres is the final race of the meeting on the C+3 track with a moderate pace. This generally translates into a tactical race where the field can bunch up and it can make things tougher on horses coming from the back of the field.
Farshad (Karis Teetan) is a last-start winner in the same class and distance and should find the box seat behind Total Power (Jack Wong). He is a Happy Valley specialist, has the inside draw and enters the race in top form. I make him a place chance, aided by the C+3 rail placement.
Wealthy Delight (Zac Purton) is also a last-start winner and has won two from his last three over the course, class and distances. The son of Lord Kanaloa has found a purple patch this year and is a win and a place chance. He benefited from a strong pace in his last start but has shown the ability to finish well over this track.
Sunny Star (Alexis Badel) will need to go back from his wide draw but is also in top form and will be closing off well as a place chance along with Exceptional Nice (Matthew Poon), who failed from a wide gate last time but is much better drawn and should be well positioned behind the leader.
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