Super Sunny Sing Stretches Out for Hong Kong Derby

Super Sunny Sing chases his fifth straight win in the Hong Kong Derby at Sha Tin Racecourse March 19 with trainer Chris So hoping he can continue to outrun his pedigree.

The Derby shares billing on the program with the Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (G1), featuring the cream of the Sha Tin sprinting ranks. But for local owners, this 146th running of the Derby is the most coveted prize of the Hong Kong season.

The outcome may hinge on whether jockey Vincent Ho can coax another 200 meters (about one furlong) out of Super Sunny Sing.

The 4-year-old is by two-time group 1-winning sprinter Nicconi , whose progeny also include the outstanding sprint specialist Nature Strip . Super Sunny Sing stepped up in his last race, the Hong Kong Classic Cup, to conquer 1,800 meters (about 1 1/8 miles). The Derby is 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles) and has the added wrinkle of a short run to the first turn on the Sha Tin turf, adding the barrier draw to the equation.

"I thought his last run was very important because at least he has proven that he can handle 1,800 meters by winning that race," So said in the lead-up to the Derby. "Before the race we thought Super Sunny Sing could handle 1,800 but honestly before the race nobody knew that. Our team is really happy—Vincent, the owner, Janice (Wong), and we are quite sure that he'll handle 2,000 meters."

The 4-year-old gelding demonstrated a strong closing kick in each of his most recent starts. Ho typically has him positioned well behind the speed, swinging to the outside at the top of the stretch for a clear run. His distinctive lavender-and-white hood, complete with earmuffs, is easy to spot as he picks off rivals.

Super Sunny Sing will face the likes of Beauty Eternal, winner of three straight races for leading jockey Zac Purton; Voyage Bubble, who won the first leg of the Derby series, the Hong Kong Classic Mile, but then finished sixth in the Classic Cup; and Galaxy Witness, fifth in the Mile and third in the Cup.

Beauty Eternal's trainer, John Size, said the gelding's progress has surprised him, especially as he's had a few interruptions in his preparations. But he put a positive spin even on that.

"The more they race, the more stress they're under and more likely to be affected. So, actually, missing a race has probably mentally helped," Size said.

Among the others, Straight Arron finally found his legs in his fourth Hong Kong start, winning an 1,800-meter handicap at Sha Tin Feb. 26. He was a group 3 winner in Australia for trainer Chris Waller and bears watching as a potential upsetter.

The popularity of the Derby among the members of the Hong Kong Jockey Club is illustrated by the fact they attracted the likes of Ryan Moore and Damien Lane to travel to Hong Kong to ride in the race. Moore will pilot Tuchel. Lane subs for Australian star Jamie Kah, who had been booked to ride Galaxy Witness but was hospitalized after a fall at Flemington March 11.

The Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup, run at 1,400 meters (about seven furlongs), has reigning champion sprinter Wellington and his two-years-younger challenger Lucky Sweynesse, who beat Wellington by a handy 1 1/2 lengths in the Centenary Sprint Cup (G1) in their last outing.

For good measure, the field also includes California Spangle, who defeated two-time Hong Kong Horse of the Year Golden Sixty in the Hong Kong Mile in December, then was third in the Stewards' Cup (G1) behind Golden Sixty.

Waikuku and Courier Wonder, both trained by John Size, fill out the short field. Courier Wonder appears unlikely to threaten the other four. Waikuku is a multiple group 1 winner and also shows a win over Golden Sixty in the 2022 Stewards' Cup. 

Purton, who has won group 1 races on California Spangle, Lucky Sweynesse and Waikuku, plumped for California Spangle in the Jubilee Cup.

"I think it's pretty predictable," Purton said. "I think all the horses in this race are well established in their patterns and my bloke is going to take it up. I just throw the reins at him and let him go at whatever speed he wants to go. He can work it out. He's a smart horse.

"I think every horse will get their chance."