Michael Cox
Leading BMW Hong Kong Derby contender Rubylot completed an impressive early morning gallop on the Sha Tin turf main track yesterday that has jockey Brenton Avdulla buzzing ahead of Sunday's feature.
The Australian jockey put the likely race favorite through a strong workout over 1,200 meters that ended with a final 400m section of 24.2 seconds under a comfortable hold.
Rubylot won the Hong Kong Classic Cup last start when he displayed a devastating sprint from the rear of the field. After the win trainer David Hayes sent the horse to the Jockey Club's mainland training facility at Conghua and Rubylot was back on the turf a day after returning to Sha Tin.
"I was happy with him," Avdulla said of the solo gallop. "He's come through the Classic Cup in good order and David has got him going really well."
Avdulla added that he was hoping for a low barrier at Thursday's crucial barrier draw ceremony.
In other Derby news, star British jockey William Buick has been confirmed as the rider of Markwin in the race.
michael.cox@singtaonewscorp.com
Rubylot ends with a final 400m section of 24.2 seconds under a comfortable hold.
