Showdown Looms in Hong Kong Derby

Romantic Warrior and California Spangle hook up in the rubber match of their season-long rivalry in the historic BMW Hong Kong Derby March 19 at Sha Tin Racecourse with post position and pandemic precautions clouding the issue.

The Derby, which dates to 1873 and is restricted to 4-year-olds, is always a high point of the Hong Kong racing season. A Derby win resonates with local owners, trainers, and fans beyond even the Hong Kong Jockey Club's illustrious lineup of international grade 1 race. Owners covet the trophy for bragging rights. And the roster of past winners is replete with names that have gone on to glory.

This year's renewal, sadly, will play out in front of an empty grandstand as a fifth wave of the pandemic holds Hong Kong in tight quarantine protocols. Not even owners of the runners will be on hand.

That's a shame as the race promises plenty of intrigue. 

Romantic Warrior, an Acclamation  gelding, won the first leg of the series, the Hong Kong Classic Mile, chasing down California Spangle, a Starspangledbanner  gelding, in the late going to win by a half-length and remain undefeated after five starts.

As the turf series moved to 1,800 meters (about 1 1/8 miles) in the Hong Kong Classic Cup, the luck of the draw caught up Romantic Warrior and jockey Karis Teetan. Drawn 13 of 14, Teetan spent the first half of the race looking over his shoulder, desperately seeking a way in toward the rail. Out of luck with that, he was forced to take the overland route and could only finish fourth as California Spangle romped home free and clear to victory.

Fortune has turned in the run-up to the Derby as California Spangle drew the No. 10 gate with Romantic Warrior two stalls to his inside. Facing the challenge of going 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles), potentially without the benefit of position, jockey Zac Purton has doubts whether California Spangle is up to the task.

"I don't think 10 is a great barrier for us at all," Purton said. "Unfortunately, we have a number of speed runners drawn inside us who are no doubt going to try and hold their positions. But our horse has got an established racing pattern, so we have to use his speed and hopefully we can get across without making too much use of him.

"If he can pull it off, it's going to be a monumental performance."

The issue is complicated by the short run to the first turn in the 2,000-meter configuration at Sha Tin.

"It could go horribly bad for us," Purton said. "It's a horrible draw for us. But it is what it is."

Teetan was much happier with the draw.

"I am confident he will get the trip," Teetan said. "If we can get a good jump and get him in a decent position, I think he should run the distance no problem and I think he will show us his nice turn of foot this time."

There are, of course, plenty of potential upsetters. Trainer Caspar Fownes fields two in this renewal—Senor Toba and Rocket Spade. Senor Toba drew the No. 3 gate, which since 2000 has produced four wins, two seconds, and two thirds.

"We'll always take the stats if they're in our favor and if they're not in favor, we'll try to change them," Fownes said.

And jockey Joao Moreira explained the benefits of that post.

"From gate 3, you actually have the benefit of being where you want to be. You can press on and be a bit closer or if you still want to let your horse find his own rhythm, you'll still find yourself in front of the majority of horses that are jumping from the outside gates," Moreira said.

Also back for another try are Turin Redsun and Money Catcher—the second- and third-place finishers from the Hong Kong Classic Cup.

Hong Kong Jockey Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges noted an oddity: Michael Kinane represented the Club in acquiring Romantic Warrior for its International Sale. Kinane also rode Che Sara Sara to victory in the Derby, back in 1996, when it was run over 1,800 meters.

Looking forward to the race, Engelbrecht-Bresges reflected, "I have no doubt the race will live up to its billing even if, sadly, we cannot accommodate our valued customers, members, and owners because of the deteriorating pandemic situation."