Let the buildup begin

Michael Cox

The lack of an established superstar in the BMW Hong Kong Derby is giving hope to the trainers of some of the outsiders in Sunday's feature.

"There is no horse in the field rated over 100 and that makes me feel like we have a top five chance," trainer Caspar Fownes told The Standard on Saturday at Sha Tin. "It's a great race but it's wide-open. There is usually an outstanding horse there that has got into triple figures."

Fownes' solitary runner Lo Rider was able to squeeze into the 14-horse field with a fourth to Bundle Award over 1,800 meters last week at Sha Tin.

Lo Rider, now rated 78 but yet to win in Hong Kong, will start at long odds in a race full of in-form horses but with the main leading chances looking more like milers than middle-distance specialists, the always-positive Fownes can smell an upset.

"Well, I believe in my horse and I know my guy will eat up the distance and I am not sure that is something you can say about those leading chances. And let's hope we can get some wet weather like this," he said, pointing at the dark clouds that hung over Sha Tin following a wild downpour.

"He will like a bit of sting out of the track. Some rain will really bring him into it.

"I know he is only rated 78 but I think he is going to end up rated 100 pretty soon."

Fownes booked Hugh Bowman to ride as connections rushed to book the best jockey for their shot at once-in-a-lifetime glory.

Trainer Cody Mo Wai-kit trains Markwin, another horse that will start at long odds, but he feels confident enough to be chasing star jockey William Buick to fly in to take the ride. "It is very late but if the Jockey Club can arrange the visa in time, William will ride," Mo said.

Other visiting jockeys include Christophe Soumillon on Noisy Boy, Ryan Moore on Mickley and Craig Williams on Cap Ferrat.

Pierre Ng Pang-chi decided against flying in a foreign jockey and has booked Andrea Atzeni to ride leading fancy Johannes Brahms. Atzeni has ridden Johannes Brahms twice previously, including a narrow Class 2 victory over 1,600m on February 16.

michael.cox@singtaonewscorp.com