2025 BMW Hong Kong Derby Power Rankings, February 19

Jockeys with a proven track record in the Four-Year-Old Classic Series are set to spice up the road to the BMW Hong Kong Derby in the weeks ahead, providing another angle as the feature looms large.

Joao Moreira has been booked to ride Packing Angel in the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) on March 2 and is in the box seat to partner Francis Lui’s four-year-old in the Derby itself.

Moreira swept the Four-Year-Old Classic Series aboard Rapper Dragon in 2017, while he added a second Derby on Sky Darci in 2021.

Ryan Moore is licensed for the March 2 meeting as part of a short-term contract and there is strong mail that he will be aboard Johannes Brahms, a horse on which he was placed three times in the UK. 

Moore won the Classic Cup on Sun Jewellery in 2016, while he added the Derby to his resume two years later with Ping Hai Star. 

Our panel of Hong Kong racing experts have again ranked the BMW Hong Kong Derby contenders ahead of the Classic Cup, which will be run on March 2. 

The Power Rankings are formed by asking a panel of 10 Hong Kong racing experts to each rank the Derby contenders one to 14. We use these lists to create a top 14, in order. The experts will continue to update lists at key times during the lead-up to March 23.

1. Packing Angel (NZ)

The booking of Joao Moreira for the Hong Kong Classic Cup adds even more intrigue as the horse, one of five runners Francis Lui has entered, steps beyond 1400m for the first time. Packing Angel had a quiet barrier trial on the Sha Tin dirt on Tuesday morning with Matthew Poon aboard.

Totally dominant! 😤@BMW Hong Kong Derby hopeful Packing Angel cruises to a third straight win at Sha Tin with @zpurton…#4YOSeries | #LoveRacing | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/2nCyBSq8yW

— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) January 31, 2025

2. Noisy Boy (AUS)

One of the few horses who is already proven at 2000m, he has not raced since his win on January 19. While he has been replaced at the top of the rankings, he remains a leading contender for the Derby.

3. My Wish (AUS)

The Hong Kong Classic Mile winner has stepped up in the rankings each time and again moves up, even though he hasn’t raced since the end of January. Rated 95, the highest of any Derby entrant, he is guaranteed a start. Seems to have been underrated every step of the way. Are we still sleeping on a horse that beat many of his key rivals soundly at level weights in the Classic Mile?

4. Johannes Brahms (GB)

A horse that has bounced around in the rankings, he was eighth in our initial set before dropping out of the top 14 following his disappointing Classic Mile effort. He returned with a strong victory over a mile last weekend. The touted booking of Ryan Moore for the Classic Cup looks a natural fit and should set him up well for a Hong Kong Derby shot. An elite miler in the making, the question will be whether he can relax sufficiently and adapt to what can be a stop-start tempo in a Derby.

5. Stunning Peach (IRE)

Entered 2025 as top pick but a disastrous run at Happy Valley and a set-back have put trainer Tony Cruz behind the eight ball. Brenton Avdulla rode Stunning Peach in a barrier trial on Tuesday morning but James McDonald will ride in the Classic Cup. Still one more chance to turn it around before the Derby.

6. Divano (AUS)

Thought of as a sprinter before unwinding from last on the turn in the Classic Mile to finish second for Blake Shinn, who has switched to ride Packing Hermod. Trialled nicely at Sha Tin on Tuesday morning with Derek Leung in the saddle, although Tom Marquand is slated to take the ride on raceday.

Classy as! 👏

My Wish staves off challengers to capture the first #4YOSeries leg – the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile – with @LukeFerraris for Mark Newnham… #LoveRacing | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/Zl6reIm7X3

— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) January 31, 2025

7. Rubylot (AUS)

Ran on for sixth in the Classic Mile after settling back in the field, running past subsequent winner Johannes Brahms after a similar trip. Was ridden conservatively on that occasion in order to run a strong mile and seeing out a strong 2000 metres is the biggest question mark.

8. Packing Hermod (AUS)

The Classic Mile placegetter impressed in a barrier trial on Tuesday morning, zipping home in tremendous style to edge out stablemate Divano with other Derby hopes Cap Ferrat, Stunning Peach and Packing Angel behind them. Beyond a mile remains a query but he remains one to watch closely in the Classic Cup where Blake Shinn, a rider capable of getting horses to relax and then unleash a long sprint, will ride.

9. Steps Ahead (AUS)

The first horse to jump into the rankings from outside the overall list, he won a Class 3 over 1800m last weekend and now has a rating of 80. That puts him right on the cusp of a start in both the Classic Cup and the Derby.

10. Cap Ferrat (AUS)

Stuck wide in the Classic Mile but was still disappointing. A step up in trip into the Classic Cup and the Derby suits. He is still in contention and finished off well enough in a trial on dirt behind Packing Hermod on Tuesday. Could a maiden win the Hong Kong Derby?

11. Californiatotality (AUS)

Burst into contention with a tough Class 3 win over 1800m on February 9 after a similar performance on International Day. Is likely to go forward in the Classic Cup and that tactical option could give this Tony Cruz-trained galloper an edge there.

12. Mickley (IRE)

Couldn’t get into the race from last behind Johannes Brahms on Sunday. The Britannia Stakes winner won second-up but it has been a puzzling preparation since with five unplaced runs in eight weeks. Could this be remembered as a masterclass training performance from John Size? It might even top Size’s legendary efforts with Luger and Ping Hai Star if Mickley can win the Derby from here.

13. Sky Heart (NZ)

Another horse who emerged last weekend as a potential Derby contender after a tough on-pace effort in a Class 3 over 1600m. The way he kicked suggests that he will be strong over further, although he will need luck to sneak into the Classic Cup field.

14. Light Years Charm (AUS)

Dominant over 1400m on February 9, winning in a canter. It’s quite some effort from a horse who was bought for A$3,750 (HK$18,500) as a yearling and whose sole win before that came at Lismore in northern New South Wales. His pedigree suggests a mile will see him out but the manner of that win was good enough to earn a spot in the top 14. A rating of 75 isn’t enough for the Classic Mile so he’ll need to win the Class 3 to force his way into the field.

Expert Panel: David Morgan (Idol Horse), Andrew Hawkins (Idol Horse), Michael Cox (Idol Horse), Steven Ho (Idol Horse), Zoher Abdoolcarim (former TIME Magazine Asia Editor and Hong Kong racing expert), Pete Twomey (bloodstock agent), Grant Courtney (horse racing photographer), Mike Doleuze (Hong Kong form expert), Luke Middlebrook (Hong Kong form expert).

PREVIOUS RANKINGS

Hong Kong Derby Power Rankings, February 5

REPLACEMENT RIDERS

Moore Among Six To Bolster HK Riding Ranks