With little more than two weeks to the BMW Hong Kong Derby at Sha Tin on 20 March, the leading contenders are well exposed following the first two legs of the HK$48 million Four-Year-Old Classic Series.
The top tier of Derby contenders is accurately reflected in the ratings with Hong Kong Classic Cup winner California Spangle and Hong Kong Classic Mile victor Romantic Warrior bracketed on 101 points.
The Irishman (92), Turin Redsun (92), Ima Single Man (90), The Golden Scenery (90), Senor Toba (89), Fa Fa (88) and Money Catcher (88) are next in the upper echelon ahead of the final selection of runners next week.
But there is still – potentially – much to play out this Sunday at Sha Tin as a small band of runners vie to press claims for a Classic start in the hope of emulating Golden Sixty and Sky Darci’s recent glories.
Copartner Elites (72), Happy Angel (71) and Beauty Live (69), who is a winner of his last two starts, remain in Derby contention as they contest the Class 3 Jonquil Handicap (1600m), all carrying connections’ hopes of success on Sunday – and a possible Derby start.
The BMW Hong Kong Derby permutations continue while on two other fronts the battle for supremacy rages.
Despite both missing sizeable parts of the season through either injury or suspension, Zac Purton and Joao Moreira are now locked in familiar battle for the jockeys’ championship. In a season of fluctuating fortunes, Zac led by 11 wins before he was injured and then trailed Joao by 18. The balance has now tilted back in Zac’s favour as he holds a four-win lead, 80-76.
The trainers’ championship is even tighter after 50 meetings with John Size leading Frankie Lor by one win – 50-49. Given the intensity of the competition, it seems likely both contests will go down to the wire.
On Sunday at Sha Tin, the Class 3 Jonquil Handicap is the eighth race over one mile with Derby aspirants among the field of 12 runners. The pace will be good to slow with Ode To Joy and Beauty Live set to go forward and make the running. Perfect To Great will assume a stalking position with Luke Ferraris.
Beauty Live will be reunited with Joao Moreira and comes off consecutive wins over 1400 metres. He has finished his races off with strong closing sectionals and the step up in distance is of no real concern. The lack of genuine speed in the race will have him right on the pace and he will get every opportunity as a win and place chance. He has to win convincingly to make a claim to be considered for the Derby.
Leading Fortune is coming off back-to-back wins in Class 4 and the six-year-old has yet to break through in Class 3. He is in career-best form and is proven over the course and distance. He will get a good trip from the inside draw with Zac Purton picking up the ride. He is a place chance.
Copartner Elites is an interesting European import making a delayed start to his Hong Kong career after being withdrawn five weeks ago when encountering trouble in the barrier. He has trialled well for his debut and can enter the Derby conversation with a win here. He will go back in the run under Vincent Ho and will close the race off well as a place chance.
Precise Express comes off a solid effort in his last start when making ground behind a dominant winner. He steps back up in trip with Derek Leung accepting the return engagement. He looks primed for his best effort and is a place chance.
Ode To Joy has not run since 30 January but ran better than expected when beaten one-and-three quarter lengths by Crossford last start. Under Lyle Hewitson, he is also a place chance.
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