Derby Fever Hits Hong Kong

[Wandering Eyes]

With the Longines Hong Kong International Races now firmly in the rear-view, much of the focus for the next three months of the racing season will turn to the 4-Year-Old Classic series. Four gallopers, imported from various parts of the racing world, will try to stake their claims to those races when they go postward in Sunday’s Lukfook Jewellery H., a Class 2 event for horses rated 105-80 over 1400 metres.

The gold-and-red silks of owner Pan Sutong were carried by Akeed Mofeed (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) to success in the 2013 Hong Kong Derby, a race in which Mr Pan’s late Gold-Fun (Ire) (Le Vie dei Colori {GB}) was a very good third. The Richard Gibson-trained Gold Chest (War Front) was perfect in two European appearances for trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam when raced as Naval Intelligence, winning a Newmarket maiden at first asking in late July before belying odds of 33-1 to scoop the Listed Sir Henry Cecil S. a fortnight later. The full-brother to US Grade I winner Fog of War just missed in a Dec. 4 barrier trial over the Sha Tin all-weather (video) and has the full confidence of jockey Alexis Badel.

“He’s a talented horse and he’s a lovely ride,” the Frenchman said. “He doesn’t do too much in the morning so I cannot wait to see how he runs at Sha Tin on Sunday. The trial was good and I’m sure he’s better on the turf, he looks like he will enjoy good going.”

Just behind Gold Crest in that trial was Furore (NZ) (Pierro {Aus}), who won his first four outings in Australia for Kris Lees and was promoted to third in the G1 Rosehill Guineas. The half-brother to former Hong Kong sprint standout Blizzard (Aus) (Starcraft {NZ}), is trained by Frankie Lor.

The second-season conditioner, who saddled two winners at last week’s international meeting, also sends out Heavenly Thought (Aus) (So You Think {NZ}), winner for trainer Darren Weir of the G3 Grand Prix S. at Doomben last May ahead of a runner-up effort to now-stablemate Dark Dream (Aus) (All American {Aus}) in the G1 Queensland Derby the following month. The latter made a favourable impression in his Hong Kong bow Dec. 9, finishing a close third in a Class 2 over 1600m.

King of Hearts (Ire) (Society Rock {Ire}) won five from seven in Europe for trainer William Haggas as Society Power, capping that portion of his career with a runner-up effort to future GI Breeders’ Cup Mile hero Expert Eye (GB) (Acclamation {GB}) in the G3 Jersey S. at Royal Ascot in June. Now trained by Tony Cruz, the bay was fifth in a Nov. 30 trial in which G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint 1-2 finishers Mr Stunning (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) and D B Pin (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) were third and second, respectively.

“He comes here with a bit of form and I think there’s something to work on,” his jockey Karis Teetan commented. “He has that quality and he’s definitely going to improve.”

Post time for the ninth race on the Sunday program is 4:40 p.m. local time (8:30 a.m. GMT). Click here for the HKJC form guide.

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