Road to Derby Begins in Classic Mile

For some, today’s Hong Kong Classic Mile is a destination. For others it’s a means to an end, that particular end being the Hong Kong Derby two months down the road. For now, a field of 11 4-year-olds from both hemispheres will vie for the winner’s share of the purse, given a boost to HK$8 million (US$1.03 million) this season. 

Owner Pan Sutong landed the 2013 Classic Mile with Gold-Fun (Ire) (Le Vie dei Colori {GB}), who has since emerged as one of the top local horses over 1600 meters, and the successful businessman will be represented by the progressiveGiant Treasure (Mizzen Mast) this afternoon. Trained in Europe by Roger Charlton as Sea Defence, the full brother to U.S. multiple graded-stakes winner and Grade I-placed Jibboom made a splash in his local debut, coming from behind to land a Class 3 handicap by two lengths on the International Races undercard Dec. 14. Sent off the 3-5 in a Class 2 Jan. 4, the grey got far back off a sluggish pace and rallied late into third, an effort which should set him up well for this. 

“I was pleased with the way he ran last time and he clocked a very good sectional time, so I thought it was a good prep for this race,” said Gibson, referencing the :21.96 the gelding clocked for the final 400 meters. “He’s been very professional since he arrived, we’ve put two races into him pretty quickly and this race comes up quickly, but that’s the way it is in Hong Kong. He’s in really good shape–we know he’s got a lot of ability.” 

Divine Calling (Aus) (Stratum {Aus}) arrived in Hong Kong with a lofty reputation, having won the G2 Stutt S. at Moonee Valley in 2013, and landed his Oct. 12 local debut in Class 2 with uncommon authority, even if the winning margin of a length says otherwise. However, he too tasted defeat at 2-5 in a Class 1 Nov. 30, but finished well and faces arguably a softer bunch here. 

Previously campaigned by Lady Rothschild as Barley Mow (Ire), Helene Happy Star (Zamindar) wired the field in last year’s Listed Newmarket S. and was unplaced in two subsequent tries before being sold to Hong Kong interests. He turned in a flashy debut performance, outrunning odds of 16-1 in a Class 2 over an insufficient 1200 meters Dec. 14, but endured a tough trip when 11th stepping up to the mile Jan. 4. With Joao Moreira taking the ride on Divine Calling, Gerald Mosse has the call this afternoon.