Danny Shum Chap-shing is confident Chill Chibi can strengthen his Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) credentials when he targets a fourth consecutive win at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.

A three-time winner from four starts, Chill Chibi will bid to put the Derby firmly on his agenda when he stretches to 1,800m for the first time in the Class Three Dunnottar Castle Handicap.

“If he wins tomorrow, he’ll be rated 80 plus, and I’m quite confident he can get a ticket into the Derby,” Shum said. “It’s a big challenge, but I’m looking forward to taking it on.”

After being denied by a short head over 1,650m on his debut in January, Chill Chibi immediately made amends on his next appearance in February over the same course and distance.

Settled at the rear of the field on his return to the races at the beginning of the month, the son of Wrote flashed home to record an impressive first-up victory in Class Three company.

It was a similar story on his most recent outing in the Class Three Hanshin Handicap (1,650m), as Jerry Chau Chun-lok sneaked up the inside rail to edge three-quarters of a length clear of his closest rival.

With over 100 days until the 2024 renewal of Hong Kong’s prestigious age-restricted Classic, Chill Chibi will attempt to overcome his latest assignment before potentially heading towards the Classic Mile and Classic Cup.

“At the moment, I can’t see too many good horses for the Derby. That’s only at this stage, and it could change in the next two or three months,” Shum said. “I’m really confident he’ll get 2,000m. It’s only the change of track which will be different, going to Sha Tin from Happy Valley.”

On Wednesday night, the unexposed gelding will partner with jockey Chau and – while Shum has high hopes for Chill Chibi – his regular rider is taking it one step at a time.

“At this stage, I think it’s too early to mention the Derby,” Chau said. “He definitely has the potential, and he always tries his best. I’m looking forward to riding him again.

“Last time he was very impressive. In the early stages, he couldn’t catch up with the fast pace, but he started picking up in the middle stage. In the straight, he showed his turn of foot. I was really happy.”

Away from his success on the racetrack, Chill Chibi has also been impressing in his trackwork, with Shum deciding to work the four-year-old alongside Group One Cox Plate (2,040m) hero Romantic Warrior.

“Danny put him with Romantic Warrior. I led in the trackwork, and when Romantic Warrior was coming, Chill Chibi just went. He really enjoyed working with a champion,” Chau said.

“I think 1,800m will be better for him. He’s very calm and casual. In the straight, he always shows his best, and I think he’s a very good horse.”

Chau sits on seven wins for the season and heads to the city circuit with a stellar book of rides, including Happy Valley specialist Son Pak Fu in Class Two Eilean Castle Handicap (1,200m).

“I’ve got a lot of good horses to ride on Wednesday. I’m looking forward to riding Son Pak Fu,” Chau said. “He has been unlucky and got a bad draw again but last time was the same. We were sitting behind and luckily the pace was fast, which was good for him. Hopefully, he can do the same on Wednesday.”