Derby shaping up to be a thriller

Galaxy Patch’s late entry adds intrigue as Helios Express bids for Classic Series sweep

Helios Express will aim to join Rapper Dragon and Golden Sixty with a HK$52 million Four-Year-Old Classic Series clean sweep when the HK$26 million 147th BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) is raced at Sha Tin on Sunday.

The brilliant galloper dominated the first two legs of the three-race series, winning the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) and the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) under jockey Hugh Bowman for trainer John Size.

The best of this season’s Classic generation will vie for a record HK$26 million in the Derby, up from HK$24 million last year.

First contested in 1873, the Derby is restricted to four-year-old runners. Past winners this century include Vengeance Of Rain (2005), Viva Pataca (2006), Ambitious Dragon (2011), Designs On Rome (2014), Werther (2016), Rapper Dragon (2017), Golden Sixty (2020), Romantic Warrior (2022) and Voyage Bubble (2023).

The top-rated runner on Sunday is the Pierre Ng-trained Galaxy Patch, who appears for the first time in the series after dominating sprint races and last start placing at Group 1 level behind California Spangle in the HK$13 million G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m).

The 103-rater steps beyond 1400m for the first time with connections of the rising talent paying a HK$260,000 late entry fee to run, adding further intrigue to the Derby.

Massive Sovereign recorded an astonishing debut win over the Derby distance, and will make his second Hong Kong start for trainer Dennis Yip.

The No Nay Never gelding won twice forAidan O’Brien in Ireland before import.

Size’s other entries are Ensued, who placed third in the Hong Kong Classic Cup, and Simple Hedge. The trainer has won the Derby three times with Fay Fay (2012), Luger (2015) and Ping Hai Star (2018).

Danny Shum tasted success with the only Hong Kong International Sale graduate to win the Derby in 2022, Romantic Warrior, and he has a two-pronged challenge in Hong Kong Classic Mile runner-up Helene Feeling and Chill Chibi, a four-time winner at Happy Valley.

Francis Lui, who won the race with Golden Sixty in 2020, saddles two runners: Chancheng Glory and Speed Dragon. The former attempted to make all in the Hong Kong Classic Cup before being run down late by Helios Express.

The championship-leading Ng also has onetime Hong Kong winner Ka Ying Generation, while Tony Cruz, victorious with Lucky Owners (2004) and Helene Mascot (2008), stays in the race with Beauty Crescent despite the withdrawal of California Voce. First reserve Elliptical, trained by Caspar Fownes, replaces California Voce in the race. Fownes lifted the trophy with Super Satin in 2010 and Sky Darci in 2021.

Andrew Harding, the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Executive Director of Racing, said: “The BMW Hong Kong Derby is one of the most prestigious races on the calendar – a race that every owner aspires to have a runner in, or better still, win.

“The race’s honor roll speaks for itself as we have seen in recent years with the progression of Golden Sixty, Romantic Warrior and Voyage Bubble as winners of the Derby to Group 1 champions, underlining the quality of the race known for once-in-a-lifetime glory.

“The 2024 edition is shaping as yet another remarkable edition with a host of incredible talents sourced from around the world to race for glory with owners and fans alike looking forward to the contest with eager anticipation.”

Frankie Lor scored a first Derby triumph in 2019 with Furore and is represented by Unbelievable this year, while David Hayes will also chase a second win in the 10-furlong test with Star Mac after crack filly Elegant Fashion prevailed for him in 2003. Elegant Fashion was the first filly to land the Classic since Corvette in 1976.