Sky Darci Looms Large In 2021 Hong Kong Derby

Caspar Fownes-trained Sky Darci heads 14 selected runners for the HK$24 million BMW Hong Kong Derby at Sha Tin Racecourse on Sunday, 21 March (Saturday, March 20 in United States).

Commanding top-rating for the coveted Classic, Sky Darci will bid to lodge a sixth victory in Hong Kong and, in the process, join the cavalcade of equine stars to have annexed the showpiece staying test.

The Hong Kong Derby was first contested in 1873 and is restricted to four-year-olds over 2000 metres. Past winners since 2000 include globally respected champions Vengeance Of Rain (2005), Viva Pataca (2006), Ambitious Dragon (2011), Designs On Rome (2014), Werther (2016), Rapper Dragon (2017) and Golden Sixty (2020).

The winners of the first two legs of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series - Excellent Proposal (101) who triumphed in the Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) and Healthy Happy (101), who lifted the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) - are prominent among the entries.

Mr. Andrew Harding, the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Executive Director of Racing, said: "The BMW Hong Kong Derby has always been a focal point in the racing season - a once-in-a-lifetime challenge that every owner aspires to take part in. The 2021 renewal will provide yet another chapter to an enduring story of excellence and achievement. Without an overwhelmingly dominant favourite, this year's race shapes as one of the most intriguing in recent memory.

"Golden Sixty was the outstanding performer of 2020 but with form lines stretching from the Epsom Derby to the Australian Derby, this year's BMW Hong Kong Derby is again one that owners and fans alike are looking forward to with eager anticipation."

Sky Darci (103), winner of the Class 1 Chevalier Cup Handicap (1600m) at Sha Tin last November, could face two Group 1 winners - Shadow Hero (100) and Panfield (90) - and two Group 1 placegetters - Tourbillon Diamond (98) and Congratulation (89).

There is a Group 3 winner - Russian Emperor (97) - along with two Listed victors - Packing Waltham (85) and Maximus (85).

Championship-leading trainer John Size has three entries among the selections - Excellent Proposal, Lucky Express (97) and Silver Express (89).

The Australian horseman, bidding for a 12th trainers' championship, will chase a fourth Derby crown after previous successes with Fay Fay (2012), Luger (2015) and Ping Hai Star (2018).

Frankie Lor will bid for a second Derby title with Healthy Happy, who will attempt to emulate Furore (2019), while David Hayes will saddle Shadow Hero and Conqueror (86). Hayes last won the Derby with Elegant Fashion (2003) which became the first filly to land the Classic since Corvette in 1976.

Tony Millard is also double-handed with Panfield and Maximus as the South African seeks a third Derby triumph after successes with Keen Winner (2000) and Ambitious Dragon (2011).

Tony Cruz, who has tasted Derby joy six times combined as a trainer and jockey, has Delightful Laos (88) and Packing Waltham (85).

Danny Shum will look to enhance an excellent season with Tourbillon Diamond, who ran third in the 2020 Grou 1 Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick Racecourse, Sydney.

Douglas Whyte is represented by Irish-bred British Group 3 winner Russian Emperor, who ran seventh in the Group 1 Derby Stakes (2405m) at Epsom Downs Racecourse in Great Britain, and Congratulation.

The race, which is limited to 14 runners, has five reserves: Flagship Glory (84), Berlin Tango (86), Arthur's Kingdom (85), Super Football (83) and Savaquin (82).

#6 Love Me More steps out on debut. He's trialled well and looks ready to make his presence felt first-up. He's worth taking a chance on.

#2 Summit Cheers is looking to remain unbeaten. He's talented and shapes as the main danger.

#5 Glenealy Generals is racing well. He's next best.

#9 So Awesome falls into a similar category. He's worth including.

#2 Fantastic Treasure won nicely on debut. He's taken time to mature and with even luck he rates as the one to run down.

#14 Voyage Star slots in light. He draws well and gets his chance.

#5 Galactic can figure with the right run.

#1 Enchanting Start has the rating on the board. He's slowly coming to hand but does bear close watching with Zac Purton engaged for this run.

#10 Pakistan Friend can roll forward and play catch me if you can. He's on the up and if he's left alone out in the lead, he could well pinch another.

#3 Vincy won well last start. He's finally pieced it all together and with even luck he's a chance to notch back-to-back wins.

#1 Charity Fun is a lightly raced talent. He draws well and appears capable of bouncing back.

#8 Above is next best.

#1 Charity Grace is racing well and is unlucky not to have won more than just the one race. He draws to get all the favours with Zac Purton engaged.

#3 Master Hero won well two starts ago. It wouldn't surprise to see him bounce back to form here.

#2 Everyone's Delight closed off nicely for fourth. He's coming to hand again after losing form earlier this campaign.

#9 Sparky Star is another who finished off nicely last time out. He bears close watching.

#10 Stunning Impact has a stack of ability but is struggling to piece it all together. Still, he grabbed a close-up second which was full of merit last time out and he rates strongly to go one better here.

#2 Leading Fortune draws well and is competitive in his spot.

#9 Breeze Of Spring is nothing short of consistent. He gets a handy gate and is worth respecting.

#3 Maldives is next best. He just needs to bring his form at the city circuit to Sha Tin to be considered a winning chance.

#6 Beluga closed off strongly for a close-up third last time out. He has the ability to finish over the top of these.

#9 Kasi Farasi mixes his form but is a course and distance winner already this term. He deserves respect.

#1 Beauty Legacy is inconsistent but on his day he has a powerful turn of foot. Joao Moreira takes the reins here and this is one of the weaker fields he's faced in a while.

#2 Amazing Beats is next best.

#8 Courier Wonder couldn't have been more impressive when winning on debut by over five lengths. He's taken time to come back but his recent trials have caught the eye and this contest looks more than suitable kick off point.

#10 Armor Star can roll forward and contest the lead. He'll give himself every opportunity.

#2 Water Diviner has the class edge. He's next best.

#3 Regency Bo Bo is competitive on his day. He's worth respecting.

#2 Excellent Proposal claimed a thrilling Hong Kong Classic Mile and with the runs on the board as well as the wins, he shapes as the one to beat in the Derby. He's given every indication that he is able to see out the trip and with even luck he can take this contest out after finishing a close fourth in last-start's Hong Kong Classic Cup behind a crawling pace set by the winner.

#4 Shadow Hero has been slowly building towards this run, improving each time. He's a dual Australian G1 winner who has the class edge on this field but at times, he has looked a touch one-paced.

#13 Maximus draws well. He's likely to roll forward and get every chance.

#5 Tourbillon Diamond is a one-time winner in Hong Kong. He's been consistent so far and will relish the added furlong on offer.

#4 Fantastic Way is looking to remain unbeaten with his third consecutive win. He remains in Class 3 which suits and from the front he could take plenty of catching.

#2 Super Dobbin has plenty of ability but he is struggling to bring it all together. Still, he has a bit of class about him and with even luck he's a leading chance.

#9 Marvel Dragon gets the services of Zac Purton. He's worth respecting, especially if he rolls forward.

#12 Simply Spectacular couldn't have been more impressive when winning last start. Still, he steps up in grade against a tough field of opponents which makes things tricky here.

#9 Master Montaro is a two-time winner from four starts in Hong Kong. He's on the up and the added distance appears to be a plus for him.

#6 Reliable Team loves the distance. He's consistent over this trip and he has the race-fitness behind to be competitive here.

#1 Beauty Smile is another who appears to be on the up. He sits on the cusp of a triple figure rating which he will more than likely not attain very soon.

#11 Flagship Glory is racing well. He just has the awkward gate to contend with.

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