Rubylot draws perfectly for Hong Kong Derby but My Wish dealt a blow with barrier 14
Classic Cup (1,800m) hero Rubylot's bid to win the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) received a big boost when he was dealt barrier four, but Thursday's crucial draw wasn't as kind to fellow leading contender My Wish.
Trainer David Hayes was delighted when Rubylot was handed the ideal gate for Sunday's HK$26 million feature at Sha Tin, while Mark Newnham remained positive about My Wish's chances despite his horror draw in 14.
Rubylot surged into nominal favouritism for the city's most prestigious race when he stormed home from near last to beat My Wish by three-quarters of a length in the traditional Derby lead-up race, the Classic Cup (1,800m), on March 2.
'I'm thrilled with the barrier,' said Hayes, who is striving to add to his first Derby success with filly Elegant Fashion in 2003.
'I would have hated for him to draw three times in a row wide. If he'd drawn wide, he would have had to go back but from barrier four, he can lob midfield and won't have to do as much.
'I think if Brenton [Avdulla] could have chosen a barrier, that is the one he would have chosen.'
In the midst of a superb season with 34 wins, including 17 since the start of February, Avdulla is dreaming of a famous win in the race every Hong Kong-based rider, trainer and owner wants to win.
'Anyone who comes to Hong Kong wants to win a Derby, so it would be a massive thrill,' the Australian jockey said.
'Obviously California Spangle has been a pin-up horse for me since I've been here but Rubylot is getting there and if he can win a Hong Kong Derby, it would be very special.'
In contrast to Rubylot's dream barrier, My Wish was perhaps the biggest loser on Thursday when his name was drawn last with only the widest gate available.
The pint-sized four-year-old has been a revelation for Newnham with four wins, highlighted by his Classic Mile triumph in January, and a gutsy second in the Classic Cup this season.
Newnham will rely on My Wish's ability to overcome wide draws by settling prominently in running for jockey Luke Ferraris.
Rubylot mows them down in the Hong Kong Classic Cup at Sha Tin! My Wish is brave in defeat as @brentonavdulla and David Hayes combine for victory... 🏆#4YOSeries | #LoveRacing | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/5YiJeHY1Ub — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 2, 2025
'We knew which one we were going to get because we were the last out and there was only one left,' Newnham said.
'The horse has shown this season that he's adaptable and he's won from 13 and 14 already this season, so we'll just have to come up with the right tactics to give ourselves the best chance to win.
'Voyage Bubble won from 14, so that's a positive.'
Voyage Bubble overcame the same draw courtesy of a stunning ride by Frenchman Alexis Badel to claim an upset win at $46.8 in the Derby two years ago.
Tony Cruz will bid for a seventh Derby victory, having won four as a jockey and two as a trainer, when he starts Californiatotality (barrier 11) and Stunning Peach (12).
'My Wish is in 14 and we've got 11 and 12. 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.'
Classic Cup third placegetter Johannes Brahms and brilliant last-start 1,800m winner, Bundle Award, drew solidly in barrier eight and nine, respectively.
Another prominent hope, Francis Lui Kin-wai's Packing Angel, drew well in barrier six. Brazilian star Joao Moreira will ride the gelding, who comes off a last-start fourth in the Classic Cup.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTHK
5 days ago
- RTHK
Anti-scalping measures imposed for National Games
Anti-scalping measures imposed for National Games Timothy Chui believes many people are happy to pay a few hundred dollars to attend National Games competitions at Kai Tak Stadium. File photo: RTHK People who purchase tickets for the National Games must carry and produce their proof of identity when entering the venue, according to a travel agent which has been given exclusive rights to sell physical tickets in Hong Kong. China Travel Service, or CTS, says the move is to prevent scalping, although the tickets can be transferred once by having them registered to another person. Tickets for the quadrennial event, to be held in November across the Greater Bay Area, will go on sale from August 28. SAR residents can visit one of CTS' 11 outlets in Hong Kong, or purchase tickets online at several official platforms. On an RTHK programme on Thursday, general manager Yeung Sai-hing said the company has set up a customer service hotline, and staff training was now under way. "Among the 11 outlets, we will extend the opening hours for three of them, located on Hong Kong Island, in Kowloon and the New Territories respectively, until 9pm," he said. "I believe in the early stage, especially when sales begin on the 28th, more people will come to buy the tickets." He was confident sales will go smoothly, saying the agency had previously handled similar major events such as the Olympics. Those who wish to transfer their tickets must do so at a CTS outlet no less than seven working days prior to the event, Yeung added, by bringing a copy of the recipient's identification document. The company is also designing bundled ticket packages with the sector to promote tourism in Guangzhou, Hong Kong, and Macau. Meanwhile, Hong Kong Tourism Association executive director Timothy Chui told the same programme that he believes National Games events staged in the SAR will be popular for both tourists and locals. "I think many tourists or residents have never been to Kai Tak Sports Park," he said. Using rugby sevens as an example, Chui believed many people who follow the competition will buy tickets, while some also wished to check out the venue and the surrounding environment. "Because usually if we buy a concert ticket to get into [Kai Tak Stadium], it would cost more than HK$1,000, but now they only need to pay a few hundred. I believe there will be residents or even tourists who are willing to pay this amount of money to enjoy the National Games."
RTHK
31-07-2025
- RTHK
Spurs beat Arsenal in Kai Tak north London derby
Spurs beat Arsenal in Kai Tak north London derby Spurs claimed the Herbalgy Trophy with their win over Arsenal in their friendly at Kai Tak Stadium. Photo courtesy of the Hong Kong Football Festival Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur delivered a slice of football history on Thursday by staging the first North London derby outside the United Kingdom as nearly 50,000 fans packed Hong Kong's Kai Tak Stadium for a pre-season friendly. The mouth-watering clash proved so popular that around 20,000 people turned up just to watch the two teams train, underlining the rarity of Premier League local rivals facing off in pre-season friendlies. Despite tickets costing as much as HK$2,499, fans considered the historic occasion worth every penny as the North London rivalry finally crossed continents. "I'm extremely excited. Firstly, watching Arsenal, it's my second time. I was excited then, I'm still excited now, but this is the North London Derby," said Khalid Saleh, a 33-year-old Arsenal fan from Perth. "This is the one game where we're very nervous ... It's probably a childhood dream, man, to come watch a North London derby." The match ended 1-0 to Spurs with their Senegal midfielder Pape Matar Sarr scoring the winner late in the first half with a spectacular strike from near the centre circle after he spotted goalkeeper David Raya off his line. For many Arsenal fans, the main attraction was watching their 76 million euros (US$86.72 million) Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres making his debut, part of the club's close-season spending spree approaching 200 million pounds (US$263.94 million). Wearing the iconic number 14 shirt, Gyokeres came on as a late substitute, welcomed onto the pitch with a huge roar that echoed around the stadium, which had its roof closed. "We just signed a new striker, probably the first (specialist) striker we signed since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang," said Mo Muse, an Arsenal fan from Melbourne. "We're feeling super, super confident, obviously. Probably one of the best transfer windows." Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said he was 'amazed' by the support, thanking them for their patience after Arsenal returned to Hong Kong for the first time since 2012. "It just makes you feel how wonderful and big this football club is and how lucky we are to have the support with the level of intensity as well that people love our football club here, so it was great to witness," Arteta said. Spurs supporters, meanwhile, were eager to see their captain Son Heung-min, with many fearing it could be their last chance to watch the 33-year-old South Korea forward in the club's colours amid transfer speculation. "Sonny has stayed for a decade in Tottenham," said Spurs fan Patrick Lau, who held a placard with pictures of the talismanic forward. "No matter whether Sonny decides to stay or maybe move to the next chapter, we are so glad that Son has stayed for Tottenham for a decade. He is our legend forever!" Simba, a Spurs fan from Hangzhou, said he bought tickets for the match mainly to watch Son, who also came on as a substitute. "I came because Son Heung-min might leave the team," he said. "I hope to see him a few more times and watch him one last time, as he's my favourite player." (Reuters)
HKFP
31-07-2025
- HKFP
Hong Kong Stadium suffered loss of HK$35 million over past 2 years
The Hong Kong Stadium suffered a loss of nearly HK$35 million over the past two fiscal years, the government has said, adding that it welcomes suggestions for 'making good use' of the major sports venue. Rosanna Law, the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, said on Wednesday in response to a lawmaker that the Hong Kong Stadium saw HK$57.2 million in expenses during the 2024/25 fiscal year and an income of HK$37.4 million, resulting in a deficit of nearly HK$20 million. In the 2023/24 fiscal year, when the city's borders had just reopened after the pandemic, the Hong Kong Stadium recorded a deficit of HK$15 million. Opened in 1952 and redeveloped in 1994, the Hong Kong Stadium is located in Causeway Bay and has 40,000 seats. It was the largest stadium in Hong Kong until March, when the Kai Tak Sports Park – featuring the 50,000-seat Kai Tak Stadium – opened. In 2019, while the Kai Tak Sports Park was being developed, the government proposed redeveloping the Hong Kong Stadium into a public sports ground with sports facilities for booking. The government also suggested allowing runners to use the sports ground for free, according to local media outlets. Last year, the city's leader John Lee said during his policy address that authorities would conduct a review of the redevelopment plan to ensure the Hong Kong Stadium's 'synergy' with the Kai Tak Sports Park. Law said on Wednesday that the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau 'will make reference' to the operation of the Kai Tak Sports Park to further assess the role of the Hong Kong Stadium. 'At present, [the Hong Kong Stadium] continues to serve as a major venue for large-scale events,' she added. The Hong Kong Stadium hosted 39 ball games and 10 'other events' over the past three years, Law said.
