All guns blazing: John Size takes lead in Hong Kong Derby
Champion trainer unfazed by mixed barrier draws for Luger, Contentment and Thunder Fantasy, saying he holds control of the speed
The barrier draw for the HK$18 million BMW Hong Kong Derby did nothing to assuage the fears of John Size's rivals that he holds control of the pace in Sunday's Group One classic, but the seven-time champion trainer was in crowd-pleasing mode.
"Yep, I think we've got control of the speed, but the good news is they won't be going slow - that doesn't suit my horses," said Size after mixed barrier draws for Luger (gate 12), Contentment (11) and Thunder Fantasy (three).
In other circumstances, the high draws for Luger and Contentment might have been a concern from the awkward Sha Tin 2,000-metre start, but the race looks devoid of leaders and Size was not fazed.
"Contentment has great gate speed and he will probably lead them, but he won't go slowly because we saw in the Classic Cup that a slow pace doesn't really suit him," Size said.
"He will be striding along at a comfortable gallop and I think it will be run to suit everybody. Thunder Fantasy is drawn to sit behind him and, from the gate outside Contentment, Luger will have to get going forward and try to follow him across. I think he's capable of doing that."
Contentment has great gate speed and he will probably lead them, but he won't go slowly
Size's likely plan was not lost on Tony Cruz, who saddles up Beauty Only (five) and Anticipation (14).
