Kiwi bred Sky Darci triumphed in a competitive $HK24million Hong Kong Derby (2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday, holding off a late charge from Atlantic Jewel’s Irish bred son Russian Emperor.
An inspired Caspar Fownes’ training performance, crowned by a supreme Joao Moreira ride, has allowed Sky Darci to overcome serious stamina doubts to win the rich classic.
The Darci Brahma gelding joined the Fownes stable as a raw, unraced gelding in 2019.
Eleven starts after debuting in Hong Kong on 9 November, 2019, the four-year-old emulated the feats of fellow unraced import Golden Sixty, now the highest-rated horse in the jurisdiction, by staving off stouter-bred stayers to lift Hong Kong’s most coveted Classic.
In the end, only a head separated Sky Darci and a charging Russian Emperor with Panfield, a triple G1 winner in Chile, a late closing third.
“It was the longest (last) 200 metres I’ve ever seen in a race, that’s for sure,” Fownes said after securing his second Hong Kong Derby triumph, having savoured his first win in 2010 with Super Satin.
“It felt like an eternity there and I’m glad he stuck his neck out and got the winning result.
“All in all, it’s a magic day – massive satisfaction. This horse with the owners (the Kwan family), it’s magic, they’ve been incredible people to train for.
“They bought this horse and gave me the opportunity to train him – he’s come a long way in a short period of time – all credit goes to them. Also, I’m very happy with Joao (Moreira).
“You’re never too confident in these types of races. I said to Joao ‘I can’t get a horse any better than this. Obviously, the staying test is going to be a little bit of query for us but we’ve got the soft gate and he’s in perfect condition. So, good luck’.”
Having finished sixth and seventh, respectively, in the Hong Kong Classic Mile and the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m), Sky Darci was strategically sent to Conghua Racecourse to recover by Fownes.
It was a masterstroke – and one which paves the way for the now six-time Hong Kong winner to return to more preferable distances.
“That was a big, tough win but he’s going to have to go to the next level now, which I’ll think he will take in time,” Fownes said.
“We’ll just see how he pulls up, which is the key. He’s showing us his versatility and now it depends on how I want to train him – maybe we’ll bring him back to 1400 metres, mile races now. We’ll just see how he is.”
Sky Darci was purchased out of Highden Park’s 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft by Mr B Kwan for $160,000.
The 52nd stakes-winner for Darci Brahma, Sky Darci is a half-brother to Group II Brisbane Cup winner Chocante and is one of five winners from unraced O’Reilly mare Strictly Maternal, a grand-daughter of Group III winner Red Chiffon.
Highden Park has already tasted success in the Derby, with graduates Werther and Ping Hai Star winning the 2016 and 2018 editions respectively. The pair are now enjoying their retirement at the Palmerston North farm.
