The Hong Kong Classic Cup March 2 at Sha Tin Racecourse is the halfway point to the BMW Hong Kong Derby and a key test of distance ability for ambitious 4-year-olds.
The Cup, run at 1,800 meters (about 1 1/8 miles) follows the Hong Kong Classic Mile and precedes the 2,000-meter (about 1 1/4 miles) Derby March 23. While the races are not graded, the Derby is one of the most coveted prizes among local owners and trainers. Derby winners in recent years frequently have progressed to success in Hong Kong’s international fixtures.
My Wish defeated Divano by a neck in the first leg of the series, the Hong Kong Classic Mile, with the favorite, Packing Hermod, another 1/2 length back in third. My Wish has four wins and two thirds from six starts in the 2024-25 season but has never gone beyond 1,600 meters (about 1 mile).
Divano has two wins, both at 1,200 meters (about 6 furlongs), from seven starts. Packing Hermod won four of his first five starts covering last season and this one but has slumped as the distances stretched.
That rapid increase in distance often shakes out a different style of runner over the three-race series. Trainer Tony Cruz hopes that will point to one of his two runners in the Classic Cup—Californiatotally and/or Stunning Peach, neither of whom contested the Classic Mile.
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He’s already won at 1,800 meters twice,” Cruz said of Californiatotality. “I believe that he’s a middle-distance horse and he can go to 2,000 meters as well. You need a class horse and I think Californiatotality is going to run a big race.
“James McDonald will ride Stunning Peach and he’s also won over this distance at Sha Tin,” Cruz added. “But I believe he could be even better at 2,000 meters and above. Eighteen hundred might be a bit short for him. I believe he is a Hong Kong Derby chance.”
Trainer David Hayes also has a pair set to go forward in Rubylot and Mondial.
Rubylot already has five Hong Kong wins, none at more than 1,400 meters (about 7 furlongs) but the trainer says the gelding is “crying out for 1,800 meters.”
Mondial makes his first Hong Kong Start. He peaked in South Africa with a third, beaten just a head for the win, in the 2024 South African Derby at Turffontein Standside, going 2,410 meters (about 1 1/2 miles).
Johannes Brahms looks for the biggest turnaround of all in the Classic Cup after finishing last of 14 in the Classic Mile. Trainer Pierre Ng forgave him that effort, given the circumstances and the fact he bounced back with an intervening win.
“The horse to his inside just kept pushing him out. We were around seven wide on the turn and we just had no chance at all” in the Classic Mile. “But he did really finish off well last start when he won. It’s a matter of experience for him. He will be even more professional with more racing in Hong Kong,” Ng said of the Siyouni gelding, previously trained in Ireland by Aidan O’Brien.
Reflecting on the race overall, Ng noted the distance challenges all face.
“I wouldn’t say it’s the best distance for him (Johannes Brahms) or probably half of the field, who are stepping up in trip. We’re just looking for a very good run and hopefully he’ll be competitive.”
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