Full Field for Hong Kong’s Domestic Centerpiece

A field of 14 Northern and Southern Hemisphere 4-year-olds is set to face the starter in Sunday’s BMW Hong Kong Derby at Sha Tin Racecourse, the richest local prize on the annual racing calendar. The Derby has proved the first step on the road to stardom for many prominent local horses, including the likes of Vengeance of Rain (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), Viva Pataca (GB) (Marju {Ire}), Ambitious Dragon (NZ) (Pins {Aus}) and last year’s winner Akeed Mofeed (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). Trainer John Moore is a three-time winner of the Derby and will be represented by no fewer than four of Sunday’s contestants. Able Friend (Aus) (Shamardal) has won four of his six local appearances, including a convincing score over his stablemate Designs On Rome (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) in the Hong Kong Classic Mile Jan. 19, but the latter turned the tables in the 1800-meter Hong Kong Classic Cup when last they met Feb. 16. Moore wanted a low draw for Able Friend, as there are questions surrounding the gelding’s ability to see out the 10 furlongs of the Derby, and the conditioner got his wish with post five. Designs On Rome, to be partnered again by star Aussie jockey Tommy Berry, will begin from the 10 hole. “Ten is a good gate for Designs On Rome,” said Moore, who will also saddle Secret Sham (Aus) (Shamardal) (gate 9) and Travel Brother (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}) (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.” Dibayani (Ire) (Shamardal), third in the Classic Cup, drew the widest stall for trainer Michael Chang. “Gate 14 is a lucky gate–in the last three years two winners have come from gate 14 (Ambitious Dragon, 2011; Fay Fay, 2012),” the trainer pointed out. “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.”