He is expected to be one of the outsiders in Sunday’s BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) at Sha Tin, but Pope Cody should not be underestimated according to his jockey James Orman.

The Me Tsui Yu-sak-trained gelding heads into the city’s biggest race off the back of an encouraging sixth to Stormy Grove in the Classic Cup (1,800m), having made up late ground from back in the field.

Despite a modest record of one win and two placings from 15 local starts, Pope Cody rarely runs poorly or is beaten far and Orman said he is capable of outperforming his likely odds in the Derby.

“He deserves to be in the race on his last run. He ran a nice sixth in the Classic Cup and the extra distance will suit him,” Orman said.

“It’s a strong race but the extra distance will make it better for him, so it should bring him right into the race. Others might struggle at the trip but I don’t think he will. We always thought he’d run the 2,000m.

“He’s only won the one, but every other race he hasn’t been far out of the money. He’s very consistent and it would just be great to see him run another good race. I’m looking forward to it.”

Orman’s association with Pope Cody goes back to the start of his career in Australia, with the rider booting home the son of Showtime twice in Queensland pre-import.

In top form with six winners at the past four meetings, Orman will ride in the Derby for the second time after finishing 11th on Californiatotality last year.

The 28-year-old will look to add to his 23 winners this season when he also rides last-start winners Baby Sakura and Pakistan Legacy, Shandong Spirit and Regency Dream on Sunday.

“Baby Sakura won well on debut so I’m looking forward to him as well,” Orman said of the Francis Lui Kin-wai-trained gelding, who tackles the first section of the Class Four Ping Hai Star Handicap (1,200m) after bolting in on debut.

“Pakistan Legacy won well last start but he’s in a strong race. It might be a bit harder with 135lb but the beauty of that with me on is he won’t have much dead weight, so we’ll see.

“I was just poking along a bit but picked up some better rides lately and got some momentum up, so hopefully it continues.”

Pakistan Legacy made all to score an upset victory at $25.2 on his latest appearance, but the Chris So Wai-yin-trained gelding faces a stern test against the unbeaten Hot Delight in Sunday’s Class Three Werther Handicap (1,200m).