Collection's major rivals for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby took some comfort from their good barrier draws yesterday, but their enthusiasm failed to match that of jockey Darren Beadman as he declared the raging hot favourite had everything in order for Sunday's classic.
The handlers of Unique Jewellery (gate two) and Thumbs Up (five) had no complaints after coming up with low draws, but Beadman was delighted after ownership syndicate member Matthew Wong Leung-pak plucked gate nine for Collection.
'I'm very happy with that - he has good horses drawn around him, some speed drawn to his inside and we should end up with a really nice run from there,' Beadman said after avoiding the extremes of the start. 'The outside gate can cause problems and you can be a marked man on these types of horses in big races with an inside gate, but from nine we have a few more options.'
But the good news didn't stop there for the John Moore-trained stayer. 'He had a really nice gallop the other morning to clean his lungs out. If you look at him his coat has really come right on line - if anything, he's improved since his win,' Beadman smiled.
Moore's second-string runner, Kings Falcon, also drew suitably in barrier four, which will ensure jockey Weichong Marwing can get him covered up and relaxed.
Trainer Danny Shum Chap-shing, double-handed with Classic Mile winner Thumbs Up and outsider Quick Touch (gate three) was enthusiastic: 'Thumbs Up was beaten in the Derby Trial last time but didn't have a tough run. That's a nice draw and this is the race that has always been his aim.'
