Hong Kong Derby Holds Interest

Tara Madgwick - Friday March 19

The HK$24 million Hong Kong Derby (2000m) will be run at Sha Tin on Sunday and holds plenty of interest for Australasian breeders with eight of the 16 runners bred in Australia and New Zealand.

A dual Group I winner in Australia last season for the Mark Newnham stable, Pierro gelding Shadow Hero is now trained by David Hayes and will be ridden by Zac Purton in the Derby for which he has drawn gate 7.

Shadow Hero is ready to peak in the HK Derby on Sunday - image HKJC

A close third to Healthy Happy (Zoustar) and Irish bred contender Russian Emperor (Galileo x Atlantic Jewel) in the HK Classic Cup (1800m) at his most recent run, Shadow Hero is expected to peak on Sunday.
 

“Shadow Hero, I think, has hit form at the right time. His lead-up race was really good and he has improved since,” Hayes told HKJC.

“In the trial (on 9 March over 1600m at Sha Tin), we looked after him. He didn’t ‘race’ and finished fifth (behind Russian Emperor) and he came out of it really well. I’m pretty confident he’s peaking now.”

Shadow Hero will be looking to give Pierro his second winner of this race with Furore successful in 2019.

Hayes will also saddle Fastnet Rock gelding Conqueror, a $1million Karaka purchase that was competitive in the Group races for three year-olds in Australia last season, his best results a second in the Group II MRC Sandown Guineas and a second  to Probabeel in the Karaka Million 3YO.

“Conqueror ran a good race last start and his trackwork with Shadow Hero on Tuesday morning on the course proper was really good. He’ll get the blinkers back on – I think he’s a better horse in blinkers,” Hayes said.

“His run in the winkers was good, but he sort of dropped the bit with 600m to run and lost concentration.

“He finished off very well but you can’t do that – lose concentration – in a Derby, of course, so the blinkers will be a plus.”


Clicl here to see Sale Mail for Hong Kong on Sunday.

American Pharoah will also have a runner in the race with US bred Congratulation an interesting entry having been Group I placed in Ireland as a juvenile. He’s had only one start in Hong Kong for a fifth and is trained by Douglas Whyte.

New Zealand-bred gelding Sky Darci will be out to continue New Zealand’s strong association with the Hong Kong Derby .

New Zealand-bred or sourced horses having won four of the last five editions of the race and Sky Darci has a chance to add to that tally .

The son of Darci Brahma is the highest rated horse in the Derby and the five-time winner in Hong Kong has drawn the ace barrier for Sunday’s race.

Sky DArci - image HKJC

“I’m very pleased with that draw, he needs a soft gate and I’m very happy, it’s going to give him his chance,” trainer Caspar Fownes said. 

The 103-rater will be paired with championship-leading jockey Joao Moreira.

“He ran alright in the Classic Mile he was just a little bit flat but the run after that in the Classic Cup was good, it was pleasing to the eye. He definitely didn’t have a clear run at them and he was only beaten by two and a quarter lengths,” Fownes said. 

“But we’ve preserved with him to give him his chance to run the trip, he’s had a great preparation for this race and he’s as fit as I can get him, he looks a treat.”

Sky Darci was purchased out of Highden Park’s 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft by Mr B Kwan for $160,000.

Highden Park has already tasted success in the Derby, with graduates Werther and Ping Hai Star winning the 2016 and 2018 editions respectively. The pair are now enjoying their retirement at the Palmerston North farm.




 

Advertisment
More Reading...
Season Finale Flourish for So You Think
Coolmore stalwart So You Think is powering to the end of the Australian racing season with a six winner flurry on Saturday highlighted by a winning treble at Randwick led by his progressive mare Oh Diamond Lil.
First SW For So You Think Stallion Tamasa As Cicala Takes Out Lightning
One of just three named foals by the So You Think stallion Tamasa, the Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea trained 3yo filly Cicala remained unbeaten, going three from three by winning the $120,000 Listed SAJC Lightning Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville.
Hello Youmzain Filly Wins NZ Last Stakes Race of Season
Talented juvenile filly Platinum Diamond made all posts a winner when she captured her second consecutive stakes victory in the last black type feature of the 2024-2025 racing season, the Listed Phils Electrical & Gypsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki.
Amelia’s Jewel Family Produces Wootton Bassett 2YO SW
Wootton Bassett (GB) added yet another new two year old stakes-winner to his tally overnight in Ireland with the Group III Silver Flash Stakes (7 ½ f) at Leopardstown going to a filly that is closely related to Aussie Group I winner Amelia’s Jewel.
New Zealand Makes Presence Felt in Hong Kong’s 2024-25 Season
From a freakish sprinter with a (NZ) suffix to an exciting group of up-and-comers sourced from the Karaka sale ring, New Zealand’s influence was strongly felt on Hong Kong racetracks during the 2024-25 season.
Sires With Winners - Saturday July 26
Here is the full list of 86 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Friday July 25
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Farnan Draws Level with Ole Kirk on 13 Winners
There’s a good battle going to decide the leading first season sire by Australian winners and with just seven days of the season to run Farnan is laying down the gauntlet to the long time division leader Ole Kirk.
Sires With Winners - Thursday July 24
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Exciting Farnan Colt Wins for Mulberry Racing
A standout in the mounting yard on type at Randwick on Saturday, Farnan colt Nashville Jack has also been an eye-catcher at the recent trials in Sydney and he delivered on potential when resuming from a spell with a stylish win.