Mondial Misses Out On Derby Berth, Lower Rated Entries Get In

Luke Ferraris will ride his Hong Kong Classic Mile hero and Hong Kong Classic Cup runner up My Wish in Hong Kong’s biggest race, the HK$26 million Hong Kong Derby on March 23 at Sha Tin (Picture: HKJC).

South African-bred Flower Alley gelding has been made first reserve for Hong Kong’s traditionally biggest race, the HK$26 million Hong Kong Derby over 2000m, despite being higher rated than two horses who snuck into the final field ahead of him.

Luke Farraris’s mount My Wish is second on the Priority To Start list having won the HK$13 Million HK Mile and finished second in the HK$13 Million Hong Kong Classic Cup.

Sam Agarson of the South China Morning Post wrote the below article:

Lo Rider and Beauty Alliance sneak into Hong Kong Derby field as Mondial misses out
Classic Cup winner Rubylot and Classic Mile hero My Wish headline field announced on Friday morning

Swashbuckling Happy Valley winner Beauty Alliance and the improving Lo Rider have made the field for Sunday week’s BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) at Sha Tin, earning selection ahead of higher-rated pair Mondial and Sky Trust.

While Mondial sits on a mark of 80 and Sky Trust 79, the pair finished 11th and 12th, respectively, in the recent Classic Cup (1,800m) and officials opted to give the nod to those in better form.

Beauty Alliance improved his rating to 77 thanks to his three-and-a-half-length midweek romp over 1,800m, while Lo Rider sits on a mark of 78 after performing well without winning in recent starts, including a fourth behind Bundle Award last week.

Classic Mile 11th placegetter Markwin will re-enter the Classic Series after a last-start second behind Bundle Award improved his rating to 81.

The field, which was announced by Jockey Club officials at Happy Valley on Friday morning, is headlined by Classic Cup winner Rubylot, Classic Mile hero My Wish and Johannes Brahms.

“At the end of the day, I think if Mondial made his way into the race, he would have improved on his Classic Cup run and run well, but he needed to show us a little bit more in his first-up run,” said Greg Carpenter, the Jockey Club’s head of racing product.

“The case for Beauty Alliance was compelling after Wednesday night. He ran really well and beat a very good field with a lot of last-start winners in it, so there was depth and quality.

“Lo Rider lost his position before the turn and ran really well last start, almost snatching third. The other supporting argument behind Lo Rider was that he was narrowly beaten by Steps Ahead at his previous run and Steps Ahead came out and ran really well in the Classic Cup.”

Also in the field are Stunning Peach, Bundle Award, Packing Angel, Mickley, Noisy Boy, Cap Ferrat, Steps Ahead and Californiatotality.

Mondial, Sky Heart, Pray For Mir and Sky Trust are the four reserves, with the latter stepping out in this Saturday’s Class Three Cosmos Handicap (1,400m).

“I would like to congratulate all the owners of the 14 horses selected to run in the BMW Hong Kong Derby next Sunday, which we celebrate as the Hong Kong race which offers once-in-a-lifetime glory,” said Jockey Club chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges.

“BMW Hong Kong Derby Day is one of the great sporting events and attractions in the city for our Hong Kong racing fans and our racing fans from around the world, with the race being broadcast in 26 countries.

“The Derby has a rich history stretching back more than 150 years to 1873. To have a runner in the Derby field is an ambition for every horse owner, trainer and jockey in Hong Kong and is already a great achievement. To win the BMW Hong Kong Derby is the ultimate.”

Priority to Start