Johannes Brahms back on track for HK Derby after barnstorming Class Two win

South China Morning Post

16-02-2025

Pierre Ng's Irish import rebounds from Classic Mile disappointment to firm as top chance in final two legs of four-year-old series
by Jay Rooney on Sunday, February 16, 2025 7:04 PM Johannes Brahms gets up on the inside of Speed Dragon to win at Sha Tin. Photos: Kenneth Chan
Johannes Brahms bounced back from his Classic Mile flop to get his Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) hopes back on track with victory in Sunday's Class Two Heung Yee Kuk Cup (1,600m) at Sha Tin.
A disappointing last of 14 behind My Wish in the Classic Mile on January 31, the Irish import reestablished himself as a top contender for the final two legs of the four-year-old series – the Classic Cup (1,800m) on March 2 and BMW Hong Kong Derby on March 23.
The Pierre Ng Pang-chi-trained gelding justified strong support when brown-lamped from $19 to $8.15 late in betting on Sunday, storming home from back in the field to salute under Andrea Atzeni.
A Naas winner on debut and Group Two and Listed runner-up for Aidan O'Brien pre-import, Johannes Brahms added Sunday's success to his Class Three triumph under James McDonald in December. — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 16, 2025
'He did have an unlucky run last time – he got pushed wide by [Markwin] and didn't really get his chance to finish off,' Ng said of the Classic Mile defeat when ridden for the first time by Frenchman Mickael Barzalona.
'Andrea did mention to just ride him like a good horse, leave him alone and he'll have a very strong finish. This time we really wanted to test him, get him higher in rating and prove he's a capable Class Two horse.'
Ridden patiently by Atzeni, Johannes Brahms was taken back to 11th from a wide draw in barrier 10 before launching his run down the outside in the straight.
As the $4 favourite Mid Winter Wind charged to the lead at the 150m, Johannes Brahms kept coming to hit the front 50m out and hold off the fast-finishing Speed Dragon to prevail by a short head.
Speed Dragon proved his last-start Happy Valley victory was no fluke as he returns to the form that had him in Classic Series contention 12 months ago.
Sunlight Power, the $4.4 second favourite, stayed on well to be beaten three-quarters of a length in third.
South African import Mid Winter Wind couldn't back up his phenomenal Hong Kong debut win when finishing fifth, leaving his chances of progressing to the Classic Cup and Derby up in the air.
Atzeni was thrilled to deliver the goods on his second race ride on Johannes Brahms.
'He's obviously got very good European form and if you could ignore his last run when he had excuses in the Hong Kong Classic Mile, he was entitled to be one of the top horses in the race today,' Atzeni said.
'We didn't have a good draw today and we had to take him back and ride him to finish with a mind of running 1,800m or maybe further in the future.
'At the moment, there are a lot of horses with question marks at the distance. I think this horse, if you ride him quiet, there's a good chance he could get it. He's a good horse and it was no surprise today.'
With Atzeni committed to riding Dennis Yip Chor-hong's Noisy Boy in the Classic Cup, Ng will again be searching for a new rider for Johannes Brahms.
The 41-year-old handler isn't keen to chase overseas options again, but his hand could be forced with most jockeys in the Hong Kong ranks already committed to rides in the feature.
Johannes Brahms handed Atzeni a running double after the Sardinian booted home Steps Ahead in the Class Three Marigold Handicap (1,800m).