BMW Hong Kong Derby barrier draw delivers contrasting outcomes for My Wish, Rubylot

By Leo Schlink

Mark Newnham will rely on My Wish’s adaptability and Luke Ferraris’ tactical expertise to offset barrier 14 in the HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (23 March), while David Hayes is elated with Rubylot’s “perfect” draw of gate four.

Stepping to 2000m for the first time, HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) winner My Wish drew the extreme outside of the 14-horse field, tasking the diminutive gelding with the challenge of emulating Voyage Bubble’s triumph from the same gate in 2023.

“We knew which one (barrier) we were going to get because we were the last out and there was only one (gate) left,” Newnham said after the official barrier draw. “The horse has shown this season that he’s adaptable and he’s won from (barriers) 13 and 14 already this season, so we’ll just have to come up with the right tactic to give ourselves the best chance to win.

“Voyage Bubble won from 14, so that’s a positive.”

My Wish won the Hong Kong Classic Mile from gate eight and finished second to Rubylot after jumping from barrier nine in the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) on 2 March.

Rubylot claimed the Hong Kong Classic Cup from barrier eight and Hayes was ecstatic with today’s draw as he bids for his first BMW Hong Kong Derby success since Elegant Fashion in 2003.

To be ridden by Brenton Avdulla, Rubylot has posted three of his six Hong Kong wins from barrier two with further victories coming gates five, eight and 11.

“I’m thrilled with the barrier. I would have hated for him to draw three times in a row wide. If he’d drawn wide, he would have had to gone back but, from barrier four, he can lob midfield and won’t have to do as much,” dual Hong Kong champion trainer Hayes said.

“I think if Brenton could have chosen a barrier, that is the one he would have chosen. He can be closer in the run than last time.”

Tony Cruz will seek a seventh BMW Hong Kong Derby triumph with Californiatotality and Stunning Peach, having previously scored as a jockey with Co-Tack (1983), Tea For Two II (1987), Clear City (1988) and Makarpura Star (1995) before striking as a trainer with Lucky Owners (2004) and Helene Mascot (2008).

Cruz was unfazed after Californiatotality (barrier 11) and Stunning Peach (12) drew wide gates.

“My Wish is in 14 and we’ve got 11 (Californiatotality) and 12 (Stunning Peach). My Wish has got some speed and my horses will be up in front, too,” Cruz said. “That will suit them because they’re one-actioned horses. I like the Derby and you always want to win it. May the best man win.”

Lo Rider will jump from barrier one for Caspar Fownes and Hugh Bowman, while the rest of the field is comprised of Cap Ferrat (two), Mickley (three), Beauty Alliance (five), Packing Angel (six), Noisy Boy (seven), Johannes Brahms (eight), Bundle Award (nine), Markwin (10) and Steps Ahead (13).

Sunday’s (23 March) BMW Hong Kong Derby Day meeting starts with the Class 4 Luger Handicap (1400m) at 1pm. The BMW Hong Kong Derby is carded as Race 7 and will be run at 4.05pm.