Our Hong Kong expert Graham Cunningham takes a look at Sunday's Sha Tin Derby day card live on Sky Sports Racing.
Searching for a star on Derby day
Once-in-a-lifetime glory or the most cherished race in Hong Kong.
The trusty old lines are being trotted out for this year’s BMW Hong Kong Derby (8.05) but Sunday’s £2.6m showpiece is a complex puzzle because this year’s Classic crop look closely matched with very few having flashed genuine star quality.
The battle hardened Rubylot is the sole runner with a triple figure rating and David Hayes’s pocket battleship produced a career best on his 18th start when charging from well back to land the Classic Cup over 1800m last month.
Classic Mile winner My Wish and 2023 Gimcrack runner-up Johannes Brahms took silver and bronze that day – with Packing Angel, Steps Ahead and Stunning Peach next home – but the winner was on top close home and looks a fair bet to confirm the form provided he gets the rub of the green.
Coming on a Bundle
But it’s not unknown for the Derby winner to emerge from left field – Irish import Massive Sovereign won just three weeks after his HK debut last year – and we have several new shooters this time.
Beauty Alliance was the last horse to earn a Derby spot thanks to two emphatic Happy Valley wins but stablemate Bundle Award is the most intriguing improver on show after taking a big step forward for the step up to 1800m on his latest start.
John Size’s gelding was ridden by Aussie Ben Thompson that day and put a useful Class 2 field away in style, producing a withering run down the outside with an impressive 22.11s closer to beat Markwin, Helene Feeling and Lo Rider going away.
That win needs be put in context - as Bundle Award was rated just 75 and receiving 20lb from last year’s Derby ninth Helene Feeling – but the visual impression was striking and the step up to 2000m should suit him much better than most.
What role will tactics play?
It’s hard to be certain but the Derby can be a strange contest, with suspect stayers often given a lot to do and enterprising riders able to steal a march if the early pace is false.
Most of this year’s key fancies tend to be ridden patiently and the most likely scenario is for a steady early gallop to build gradually round the home turn.
Californiatotality, My Wish and Steps Ahead will be among those leading the parade into the home straight, while Rubylot, Bundle Award, Johannes Brahms and Packing Angel will be played later, probably on the outside to avoid trouble.
And who will be in front when it matters?
I don’t have a strong view on this year’s Derby and it will be a surprise if there’s anything here to match recent winners like Golden Sixty, Romantic Warrior and Voyage Bubble.
That said, BUNDLE AWARD and RUBYLOT have much more in their favour than most and the Aussie-trained pair are preferred in that order.
Rubylot keeps being underestimated but his form and attitude are hard to fault, while Bundle Award looks to be progressing fast based on his latest win and his turn of foot can prove a major asset once in the race all HK owners dream of winning.
Enthralled to grab the attention again
Remember a colt called James Webb making all to win a couple of races at Yarmouth for Sir Stoute late last summer?
Well, that colt is now a gelding called ENTHRALLED and he lines up for the Size stable in Sunday’s Designs On Rome Handicap (5.50) with a major chance after showing much improved form to score at the third time of asking in HK three weeks ago.
Enthralled didn’t improve enough to make the Derby cut that day but he clearly relished the return to 2000m, coming from well back in a steadily run race under Brenton Avdulla and producing a fiery 22.12s closer to cut down Pray For Mir close home.
Pray For Mir reopposes with a 5lb pull but he had the run of the race that day. Lightly-raced Winning Wing looks a more appealing saver option – as he came home strongly for second in a useful race over 1600m last time – but Enthralled is on a roll now and still looks ahead of the game from a mark of 73.
C’est Magnifique
Avdulla has been having a high old time while Zac Purton has been out injured and another chance to capitalise on the champion’s absence arises when MAGNIFIQUE bids to stretch his unbeaten run to three in the Werther Handicap at 9.20.
David Hall’s muscular Charm Spirit gelding justified strong support over the minimum trip on his debut and handled a 7lb hike and 1200m with aplomb last month, showing fine speed to offset a high draw then just punched out to score with authority.
The handicapper has hit him with an 8lb rise but the form has worked out strongly, with second, third and fourth all giving it a handy polish.
Two fellow last-time-out winners lie in wait, with Ryan Moore aboard topweight Invincible Shield, but Magnifique is progressing fast and can progress beyond Class 3 before this season is much older.
Moreira to leave a Legacy
Moore will need to weave some magic to get last year’s Britannia winner Mickley home for Size in the Derby and some finesse might be needed when the pair combine with Masterofmyuniverse in the Furore Handicap at 8.45.
This Havana Grey gelding has bags of ability – as he showed in two 1200m wins at the turn of the year – but he’s a tricky ride with an awkward head carriage and I’m tempted to take two against him and hope his quirks prove an issue again.
Aussie import PAKISTAN LEGACY has shown plenty of dash in two HK starts and looks drawn to give it a good go from gate 4 with the visiting Joao Moreira booked, while LADY’S CHOICE is much more exposed than some but can outrun his double figure price back under optimum conditions.
Happy and glorious?
Early risers can see another key Size fancy when Young Champion contests the Rapper Dragon Handicap (5.30) and this Irish import (formerly Sharlouk for Johnny Murtagh) is bang in form after beating Healthy Happy decisively in a similar event three weeks ago.
Classic Mile third Packing Hermod is another set to corner a fair chunk of the market but don’t be surprised if Healthy Happy goes well at a price in this £290,000 contest.
Frankie Lor’s freewheeling gelding isn’t a frequent winner but he might just snag an easy lead here and he has a hefty 10lb pull with Young Champion once Britney Wong’s handy 10lb claim is factored in.
Derby day selections
- 8.05: Bundle Award/Rubylot
- 8.45: Pakistan Legacy/ Lady’s Choice
- 9.20: Magnifique
- 9.55: Enthralled/Winning Wing
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