Great atmosphere, perfect weather, over 50,000 racegoers, fantastic and exciting races - that’s what we got on Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby day last Sunday. It was probably one of the most thrilling Derby races in recent years, when you consider the breathtaking climax and the clever riding performance by Douglas Whyte on Fay Fay. Starting the race from Gate 14, he unhurriedly steered Fay Fay to follow early leader Bullish Champion, who had proceeded to set a steady pace. Douglas was able to let Fay Fay stay two-wide and position close to the lead, which I think was an ideal position given his runner’s draw and other circumstances.
I believe most of you like me would not refute the point that the slow tempo of the race did give his horse the advantage given Douglas’s intelligent positioning close to the fore. However, I think this John Size-trained runner also showed its class and big heart as it fended off the strong challenge of several determined contenders in the home straight before claiming the top prize.
It was a roller-coaster week for Fay Fay’s Owners Mr and Mrs Alexander Wong, as in the barrier draw last Thursday they drew 14, a berth that many felt would prove difficult for the horse to overcome. But their jockey and trainer coped with this disadvantageous factor splendidly and they all were overjoyed after the race. John Size has won six trainers’ premierships in Hong Kong, but he could not hide his emotion and declared that his first Derby success in Hong Kong – his 12th G1 victory locally and his first in almost three years – was his most special and memorable success to date.
Runner-up Same World and third-placed Sweet Orange also produced gallant performances in defeat, as they both clocked impressive final sectionals inside 22 seconds – precisely 21.83 and 21.66 seconds respectively. I hope all of these young sensations will continue to progress and develop. It will be interesting to see whether they will target the Audemars Piguet QEII Cup or BMW Champions Mile, and how they will fare against older opponents and those overseas runners that invariably make both races intriguing and exciting spectacles.
Apart from enjoying our domestic showpiece event, I am pleased by the latest news coming from Dubai, as we are very likely to have six Hong Kong runners competing at the Dubai World Cup day on 31 March. Should this be the case, it could be viewed as the largest and strongest contingent of Hong Kong runners ever to take part at a single major race day overseas.
Earlier this week, the Dubai Racing Club announced the list of possible runners to compete in various stake races on World Cup day. In the Dubai Duty Free we have three mighty representatives in Ambitious Dragon, Xtension and California Memory. These top-three finishers in the Citibank Hong Kong Gold Cup will face the likes of Musir, Presvis and Wigmore Hall in this 1800m contest. The season’s two-time G1 winner and top sprinter Lucky Nine will meet Rocket Man from Singapore and Sepoy from Australia in the Dubai Golden Shaheen on Meydan’s Tapeta surface, while Joy And Fun and Eagle Regiment will try to tilt Nocturnal Affair and Sole Power in the Al Quoz Sprint.
Lucky Nine and the three Dubai Duty Free contenders had their final tune-ups in the barrier trials at Sha Tin yesterday morning. I’ve reviewed the footage and they all performed nicely in the sessions, particularly Ambitious Dragon as he delivered a mighty turn of foot to finish second behind Sacred Kingdom in his batch on turf. He did that in a very easy manner as Douglas Whyte didn’t ease the reins but the horse still changed gear and surged forward by himself. Lucky Nine also showed his prime form as with his blinkers and hoods on, he still made up much ground and showed a strong run in another batch on the All Weather track.
These top horses are scheduled to leave Sha Tin and depart for Dubai in the early hours of Thursday and Saturday. Before three of them to off in the early hours of tomorrow, we will host a race meeting at Sha Tin’s all weather track tonight. This will provide an opportunity to see many of our local AWT specialists in action, and others who have raced less on this surface some opportunities to get results and reward their Owners.
Among the eight races on the card, the Manawatu Racing Club Challenge Trophy is a competitive Class 3 event with an expected good pace. Happy Index is expected to take the lead and this three-year-old by Elusive Quality is another example that progenies of this sire like the Sha Tin’s All Weather surface. He is working well and from Gate 5 he will be difficult to beat. His main opponent for the lead could be Palepale who has shown good form after a little break in his last race. He is expected to share the lead or being placed in the box seat. He is a good place chance in this race. Rumba King is the ride of Douglas Whyte. He is working very well and in good form. For me he will be the main danger for Happy Index. Costa Del Sol has to come from the back of the field. Being drawn in Gate 11 but with his good finish, he remains to be a top-three chance in this event.
The Cheung Chau Handicap as the last race is the sporting highlight of the evening, being a Class 2 over 1650m with an expected good to slow pace. Just Fantastic has to overcome his wide gate but should still be the leader, with rails drawn Helene Spirit can take the box seat. Helene Spirit was withdrawn from his last race after he galloped riderless at trackwork. Being placed over this course and distance previously, he is for me a win and place chance tonight. Free Judgement was beaten in his last race by Crown Witness. He is working very well and from his better draw in Gate 3, he should get a good run along the fence and is my top choice in this race.
Flashing Aura ridden by Douglas Whyte has to overcome his draw in Gate 11 and has to come from the back, but is still a place chance for me. Rio Willie showed improvement in his third start in Hong Kong last time. He should improve further and will be a place chance for his trainer Richard Gibson.
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