In a season when many of the big races almost seem predetermined, the 149th running of the Hong Kong Derby presents plenty of options and some challenging handicapping decisions.
While Romantic Warrior has dominated the season's middle-distance events and Ka Ying Rising has swept all before him in sprints, the first two events of the Derby series, restricted to 4-year-olds, produced very different results, both rather dramatic.
And the increasing distance through the series, from the initial Hong Kong Classic Mile to the 1,800 meters (about 1 1/8 miles) of the Hong Kong Classic Cup and the 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles) of the March 22 Derby, adds another layer of complexity.
The Derby itself is a key prize for local connections and has carried serious bragging rights for more than a century and a half. This year's version has the added prestige of coming in the Year of the Horse—and the Red, or Fire, Horse, at that.
Little Paradise started the series with a victory in the Classic Mile. The Toronado gelding had to alter course twice in the stretch run, the second time with just 150 meters to run, but spurted away to a convincing, 2-length score once free.
The Classic Cup belonged to 21-1 chance Stormy Grove, another Toronado gelding who, if anything, made Little Paradise's run seem pedestrian.
Starting from gate 12, Stormy Grove lingered second-last until the big field peeled off the riverside backstretch. With Harry Bentley at the controls, he then circled the field, gained steadily through the stretch and won by 1 length over Invincible Ibis. Little Paradise missed the break badly, ceding his rivals 3 lengths. While he was in gear and gaining late, he was never in the mix.
The Cup was Stormy Grove's first foray beyond a mile and trainer Frankie Lor said pace helped.
"I thought if the pace was suitable for him, he could do the same thing as last time at 1,600. Next is 2,000 and I think if the pace is suitable for him, then he can do the same thing," Lor said of his Derby chances.
Trainer Jimmy Ting said Little Paradise has been put through some rigorous gate schooling since the Cup and seems to have mastered his lessons.
"He was a bit disappointing last start, but he missed the start and then when he went to the inside, he got bumped a few times," Ting said. "After the bumping, I think the horse was upset and that's why he came back. But over the last 200 meters, he ran home."
He drew gate 10.
If the series is destined for a three-winners finish, Invincible Ibis could complete the trio. While his sixth-place finish as the favorite in the Classic Mile was a disappointment to trainer Mark Newnham, his runner-up showing in the Cup, a cozy gate 3 draw for the Derby, and the presence of Hugh Bowman in the irons give the trainer hope.
"It's a lot different going around the two bends," Newnham said. "From the 1,800-meter start, they go on a long straight line for a bit. But with the short run to the first turn here, there's pressure on horses that are drawn wide and getting trapped wide into the first corner. From the good draw, he's going to find a nice position without having to push forward or drag back.
"The way he finished off on the 1,800 meters, he does look like he'll run the trip. We can only prepare him as well as we can and he's going there in good order."
Andrew Harding, the Hong Kong Jockey Club executive director of racing, commented on the importance of the race to local owners and trainers.
"The Hong Kong Derby is the most prestigious contest on our calendar, a once-in-a-lifetime challenge and champion-making race that every owner aspires to win," Harding said. "This year marks the 149th running, boasting history dating back to 1873, and with an honor roll that speaks for itself, including 13-time group 1 winner Romantic Warrior.
"Year after year, it is the race that produces our future stars."
