Classic Mile Kicks Off Hong Kong Derby Series

Hong Kong's top 4-year-olds will embark on the road to the BMW Hong Kong Derby before a mostly empty grandstand at Sha Tin Racecourse Jan. 27.

The series opener, the Hong Kong Classic Mile, starts a sorting process that is annually watched as a pointer to future stardom. The Classic Mile is followed by the Feb. 23 Hong Kong Classic Cup at 1,800 meters (about 1 1/8 miles) and crescendos with the March 22 Derby, contested at 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles).

Despite the proliferation of international group 1 events in Hong Kong, the Derby, dating to 1873, is high on the target list for local owners and trainers and normally one of the biggest days on the local racing calendar.

This year, the Hong Kong Jockey Club is virtually closing down Sha Tin on race day to prevent the spread of the coronavirus that developed in mainland China this month. Only about 8,000 fans will be allowed into the huge facility, less than one-tenth a normal crowd. Off-track wagering sites are also closed.

The races, however, will go on as they are deemed an integral part of the Chinese New Year's celebration and vital to racing connections.

The field for the Classic Mile is loaded with potential and some proven ability.

Golden Sixty, a Medaglia d'Oro  gelding, and More Than This (GB), a Dutch Art gelding, both seek their fifth straight win. Ryan Moore jets in from the Pegasus World Cup meeting in Florida to take the reins on More Than This.

Buddies, nominated to the Godolphin Mile (G2) in Dubai by trainer John Moore, moves from the all-weather course for this race and likely needs a good showing to finalize his ticket for the Middle East.

And the connections of Hong Kong's reigning Horse of the Year, Beauty Generation, will see whether their lightly raced Beauty Legacy can carry their distinctive pink and black colors to another prestigious win.

Leading rider Joao Moreira gives way to Moore aboard More Than This in the Classic Mile and picked Beauty Legacy over last season's 3-year-old sensation Champion's Way as his backup mount. Both are trained by John Size. Champion's Way has tumbled to three straight losses; Beauty Legacy won his only start of the term.

"It was a difficult decision, but I can't ride two horses," Moreira said after track work hours Jan. 24. "It could be the wrong one because Champion's Way has been running well in strong races, and there's no doubt that he needed a couple of runs to bring his best. But I had to make a decision, and I hope I didn't make the wrong one."

Karis Teetan rides Champion's Way, a Hinchinbrook gelding, with hopes for improvement.

"What he did last season, not many horses can do, and he looks promising still," Teetan said. "I just think maybe he was not to where John wanted to have him, and he looks like he's improving with every run this season."

The day's co-featured Centenary Vase (G3) marks the return of Hong Kong's champion Stayer, Exultant. In his most recent start, Exultant finished third in the Longines Hong Kong Vase (G1) at 2,400 meters (about 1 1/2 miles). Despite that loss, Exultant was assigned 133 pounds, giving 33 pounds to most of his opponents, for the 1,800 meters of the Centenary Vase.

"So here we are carrying top weight in a group 3," jockey Zac Purton said. "It's not easy, but the horse feels well within himself and he's very honest, so I'm sure he'll run well."