TRAINER Alex Wong Yu-on has an anxious seven-day wait to see if exciting Winning Chance gets a run in the Hong Kong Derby - but he's prepared for more heartbreak on the eve of the Classic.
Last year Wong had to watch helplessly as boom galloper Deerfield was withdrawn with a leg injury when near favourite for Helene Star's Derby and this year he gambled on Winning Chance winning or finishing second in the Classic Trial.
''We went close but it wasn't good enough. That's been the way for some of his runs. Finishing second would have meant automatic qualification for the Derby and I thought we were going to do it,'' said Wong.
''It was frustrating because we had Our Pal beaten when he looked like winning. You end up finishing third and that's not good enough.'' He must now wait and see if the 14 qualifiers for the $4 million Derby are all declared as Winning Chance is first reserve for the most important domestic race on the calendar.
Wong added: ''I will know more after final gallops on Tuesday morning but I asked around all the trainers this morning and it looks as if he won't get a run.'' But should Winning Chance be thrown a lifeline, Wong believes the American bred will go into the Derby with a big claim.
''I believe he will run out 1,800 metres and he would be absolutely ready to run a top race,'' he said.
Even though several of those eligible to run in the 1,800-metre showpiece have no logical chance, that is unlikely to stop trainers declaring them so that owners can see their colours carried in the Classic.