Waikuku's path to Hong Kong Derby a rocky one
This has been a tough week for Waikuku in advance of Sunday’s $2.29 million Hong Kong Derby at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong.
Last Sunday, Waikuku was found to have a sore foot, which was a short-term concern, trainer John Size told Hong Kong publicity.
Post positions were drawn from the Hong Kong Derby on Thursday. Waikuku will start from the outside in a field of 14 in the race at 1 1/4 miles on turf with a relatively short run to the first turn.
Despite all that, Waikuku may be favored in the Hong Kong Derby for 4-year-olds. Since Jan. 1, Waikuku has won four consecutive races at Sha Tin in handicaps ranging in distance from seven furlongs to 1 1/8 miles. In each race, he closed from off the pace to take lead late.
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In the $248,410 Lion City Handicap at 1 1/8 miles on March 2, Waikuku closed from 11th to win by 1 1/2 lengths under regular rider Joao Moreira.
All seemed well for the Hong Kong Derby until Size noticed Waikuku had a foot issue.
“He had a sore foot and by the afternoon it seemed okay,” Size told Hong Kong publicity on Thursday. “He’s continued to make normal progress since then, so I think he’ll be fine for the race.”
Thursday, Waikuku worked a half-mile in 58.60 seconds, including a final quarter-mile in 25.7 seconds. Size described the exercise as “just the normal work.”
He downplayed the wide draw for Waikuku, considering the gelding is not reliant on racing near the front.
“He’s proven to be quite versatile,” he said. “He’s not a difficult horse to maneuver. We’ll just have to work around that.”
To some extent, Waikuku has taken an unconventional approach to the Hong Kong Derby, bypassing the two prep races for 4-year-olds.
Dark Dream, who will be well supported and could overtake Waikuku as favorite, was fourth in the Hong Kong Classic Mile on Jan. 27 behind Furore, who is part of the Hong Kong Derby field. On Feb. 17, Dark Dream was second in the Hong Kong Classic Cup at 1 1/8 miles behind Mission Tycoon, also part of Sunday’s field.
The winner of the Group 1 Queensland Derby in Australia last June, Dark Dream is trained by Frankie Lor and will be ridden by leading rider Zac Purton. Dark Dream is a threat from off the pace, which could create a fascinating stretch run in his first start against Waikuku.