Tamari takes gap left by All's Well
Danny Shum Chap-shing has lost his battle to get All's Well to the post for the Derby, with the gelding dropping out prior to yesterday's announcement of invitations and paving the way for a late call-up for the connections of in-form Flying Tamari.
All's Well missed a lead-up race when Shum was forced to scratch him from the Group Two Mercedes-Benz Derby Trial due to a corn in one front foot.
However, during the same examination, vets detected arthritic changes in both front fetlock joints of All's Well. As recently as yesterday morning, Shum was still hopeful, but veterinary advice ruled the gelding out in mid afternoon.
The HK$14 million, Group One Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby will be decided over 2,000 metres at Sha Tin on March 18.
There were no other surprises when the 14 invitees were announced at Happy Valley but 13 of them still face the same daunting question - how do you beat the all-conquering Floral Pegasus?
The final 14 boasts an average domestic rating of 104, showing last year's Derby field to have been a one-off aberration when the average rating was a mere 96 and a Class Three horse (Matiri King, rated 75) was able to make the field.
Jockey Club chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges yesterday spoke of the reverence with which a Derby win is viewed. 'Ask any owner, trainer or jockey which domestic race they most want to win and they will tell you it's the Hong Kong Derby. There are several reasons for this; principally the prestige and glamour, the fortune and fame,' Engelbrecht-Bresges said.
But while the Derby dream remains alive for the owners and trainers of all 14 horses, it is undoubtedly Tony Cruz and owners the Chan family who have the strongest grip with Floral Pegasus.
The handsome Fusaichi Pegasus colt has been unbeaten in three runs since his brave seventh behind The Duke and Armada in the Hong Kong Mile on December 10, and most concerns about his stamina evaporated without trace after he dominated the Hong Kong Derby Trial at 1,800 metres on February 20.
