With the clock very much ticking for Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby hopefuls, promising four-year-olds Lhojong and Supreme Gains will be out to make the best of a late chance to squeeze into the frame this Sunday. With the field to be announced two weeks from next Wednesday, the pressure to make the final Derby spots could not be greater and champion jockey Douglas Whyte has thrown punters a curve ball. Whyte, who won on Lhojong at his last run, stays with Supreme Gains for Manfred Man Ka-leung in the final race despite reporting to stewards last outing that he had been concerned about the horse's action when ninth to River Jordan. Supreme Gains was returning from a setback that day - he had not run for three months - and Whyte has surprised by staying with him after the disappointing run. 'Nobody should be looking at this as though I picked one over the other - both Supreme Gains and Lhojong are very promising horses, but the decision to run Lhojong this weekend was made fairly late and I was committed well in advance to Supreme Gains,' Whyte said yesterday. 'Supreme Gains didn't feel like himself last start so I'm hoping he'll improve on that and it was the only poor run he's put in from eight starts. Realistically, though, they each have to win to get into the Derby, second won't be good enough.' On the list of Derby entries released by the Jockey Club on Wednesday, Supreme Gains was equal 15th in the order of entry on a rating of 92, while Lhojong was three points lower and equal 22nd. The Derby selections promise to once again test officials on the basis of rating versus current form, with Tony Millard's Puerto Rico sitting 12th in the order despite two Hong Kong starts for two last placings.
