Jockeys seek first Hong Kong Derby victory this year

The BMW Hong Kong Derby is set for Sunday, and it could be a historic day. Four of the top five jockeys in the race are aiming for their first win in this prestigious event. This situation is influenced by the absence of popular jockey Zac Purton due to injury. Brenton Avdulla, riding Rubylot, and Luke Ferraris, on My Wish, are considered favorites. Both would have ridden their horses even if Purton was available, showing their growing reputation in Hong Kong racing. Meanwhile, Ben Thompson and Andrea Atzeni also have strong chances to win the Derby for the first time. Thompson and newcomer James Orman will be competing in the Derby for the first time. On the flip side, experienced riders Joao Moreira and Hugh Bowman are looking to add to their Derby victories. If they win, they will be one step closer to matching the legendary Tony Cruz, who has won the race four times. From a training perspective, Cruz and Caspar Fownes are both aiming for their third wins, while John Size is seeking his fourth. John Moore holds the record with six Derby wins. The starting gates can play a significant role in the race. Gates three and ten have been the most successful in the past, each producing four winners. However, other starting positions have had their share of surprises. Jockey Thompson feels positive about gate nine, which has produced three winners. The recent trend in the Derby has shifted towards previously unraced horses. The last few winners all started their careers elsewhere before coming to Hong Kong. This year, the horses split evenly between those who raced before and those who didn't. The top two horses in the market are both classified as "private purchase Griffins," meaning they were previously unraced.