It might indeed be you, Ms Tang
Vicky Tang finds bargain horse could make her first woman owner in 40 years to win big race
Vicky Tang is just happy to have a runner in Hong Kong's most prestigious race, but she is still hopeful of another against-the-odds victory for her horse, It Has To Be You, in Sunday's HK$16 million BMW Hong Kong Derby at Sha Tin.
Tang could become the first woman owner to win the Derby in 40 years, with a horse that was a longshot winner at his last start and a relative bargain buy compared to many of his blueblood rivals.
"We're already happy that this has come true, but we'll be happier if it can win the race as well," said Tang.
We're already happy that this has come true, but we'll be happier if it can win the race as well
To put things in perspective, the race favourite for the Derby, Akeed Mofeed, cost a rumoured HK$20 million and many of his rivals would have cost as much as HK$8 million or more. It Has To Be You was bought from a New Zealand breeder - after the horse failed to sell at auction - for less than HK$200,000.
It Has To Be You stunned experts last month by winning the traditional lead-up to the Derby, the Hong Kong Classic Cup, at odds of 125-to-one. So little wonder Tang is philosophical about Sunday's result.
"There are many things that are not under our control in a horse race," the 40-year-old businesswoman said. "I don't think about whether my horse will win the Derby or not. I think it's OK if it can bring its skill into full play."
Tang has raced horses for the past 13 years, following her father - owner Tony Tang Wai-bun - into the Hong Kong Jockey Club's exclusive ownership ranks. She is one of 174 female owners, outweighed by 1,141 men.