Connections of the 14 runners for the HK$16 million BMW Hong Kong Derby on Sunday (16 March) all seemed content with the draw for the prestigious 2000m contest, which took place at the Sha Tin parade ring this morning, Thursday, 13 March.
Trainer John Moore had no concerns after the two market leaders, HKG1 Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) hero DESIGNS ON ROME and HKG1 Hong Kong Classic Mile victor ABLE FRIEND, drew gates 10 and five respectively.
“Ten is a good gate for DESIGNS ON ROME,” said Moore, who will also saddle SECRET SHAM (gate 9) and TRAVEL BROTHER (13). “DESIGNS ON ROME is going to go back and I can see from that gate he won’t get into a traffic jam – hopefully he can sit three deep with cover, three-quarters of the way back.
“ABLE FRIEND should get a nice cushy run just back in behind. He’ll need a little bit of luck in running but being able to sit there should help with any stamina issue.”
Trainer John Moore draws Gate 5 for his Derby runner ABLE FRIEND.
The owner's representative draws Gate 10 for DESIGNS ON ROME.
The owner's representative draws Gate 10 for DESIGNS ON ROME.
Michael Chang is seeking a first BMW Hong Kong Derby triumph and he has two solid candidates in TABLEAUX and Hong Kong Classic Mile third DIBAYANI. The former drew ideally in gate two, and while DIBAYANI will break widest of all in gate 14, Chang is not concerned by that.
“Gate 14 is a lucky gate – in the last three years two winners have come from gate 14 (2011 AMBITIOUS DRAGON, 2012 Fay Fay),” said the trainer. “There is no choice, with DIBAYANI, he has to go back and ride for luck. He has a good turn-of-foot – slow pace or fast pace, it will not affect him too much. But I don’t think the pace will be slow in this race, and Tableaux from gate two, I think he will go and sit close up.”
Last year’s Champion Griffin, the Dennis Yip-trained ALL YOU WISH, will break from gate seven, while the Tony Cruz-trained duo of BEAUTY FLAME and BULLISH BOY drew gates eight and 11, respectively.
Of the remainder, the Danny Shum-trained MR GNOCCHI drew towards the outside in gate 12, DR GOOD HABIT from the John Size yard drew gate six, the Peter Ho-trained FLAME HERO will jump from gate four and LUCKY DOUBLE EIGHT, trained by Caspar Fownes, drew gate three. Richard Gibson saddled AKEED MOFEED for success in last year’s BMW Hong Kong Derby and his contender this time, WAYFOONG EXPRESS, will break from tight to the rail in gate one.
The BMW Hong Kong Derby on Sunday, 16 March is the third and final leg of Hong Kong’s Four-Year-Old Series. The initial two legs in the series are the HKG1 Hong Kong Classic Mile and the HKG1 Hong Kong Classic Cup.