2025 BMW Hong Kong Derby Power Rankings, March 18

The final field for the BMW Hong Kong Derby has been announced ahead of Thursday’s barrier draw for the four-year-old feature.

Our panel of Hong Kong racing experts have ranked the BMW Hong Kong Derby contenders over the last three months, following their journey through to Sunday’s classic.

The Power Rankings are formed by asking a panel of 10 Hong Kong racing experts to each rank the Derby contenders one to 14.

1. Rubylot (AUS)

Rubylot debuted in Hong Kong as an early three-year-old in September 2023, having 12 starts for three wins from 1000m to 1400m in his maiden term. He returned with a 1200m Class 3 victory in September and added a 1400m Class 2 win in January. Sixth in the first leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series, the Classic Mile, he then swept home from last to win the Classic Cup over 1800m last time out.

Rubylot finishes right over the top! 💪

An elated @brentonavdulla recorded his first #4YOSeries win with David Hayes' galloper in the Hong Kong Classic Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday… #LoveRacing | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/N23wJCQyH8

— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 3, 2025

2. Johannes Brahms (GB)

Second in both the G2 Gimcrack Stakes over six furlongs and the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes over five furlongs as a two-year-old, he arrived in Hong Kong with a big reputation. A Class 3 winner over 1400m and a Class 2 over 1600m, he disappointed when finishing last in the Classic Mile but was a fast-finishing third behind Rubylot in the Classic Cup.

3. Packing Angel (NZ)

Imported unraced from New Zealand, Packing Angel debuted at the Season Finale meeting in July, finishing fourth over 1200m. Impressive when stepped up to 1400m in a Class 4 on HKIR day, he won two further races at the trip in Class 3. He had his first start beyond 1400m in the Classic Cup, finishing fourth to Rubylot.

4. My Wish (AUS)

One of Hong Kong’s smallest horses in training, he had two starts last season for a second over 1200m down in Class 4. He has won four of his seven starts as a four-year-old and placed on the other three occasions, taking a Class 4 over 1200m, two Class 3s over 1400m and the Classic Mile at 1600m. He was second to Rubylot in the Classic Cup last time out.

5. Bundle Award (AUS)

Won three of his four starts in Australia when named Prince Prawn. Only made his Hong Kong debut in the lower half of Class 3 in December and his ninth over 1400m did little to suggest he’d develop into a Derby horse. Placed at his second start, another Class 3 over 1400m, before winning a similar race at start three. Flat when ridden handy upon stepping up to a mile but was ridden cold in a Class 2 over 1800m last time out and flew home to score with something in hand.

6. Beauty Alliance (AUS)

Was rated 57 at the start of the month, having won one of his eight starts and placing on a further two occasions. A Derby berth seemed out of the question, but adopting more positive tactics up in trip has proved the making of him. He won twice over the Happy Valley 1800m within seven days – a Class 4 on March 5 and a Class 3 on March 12 – to secure his position. How that form will measure up is one of the big questions of this year’s Derby.

Beauty Alliance smashes them! 🤯

Big win from John Size's charge in the finale at Happy Valley to give his trainer and @AlexisBadel a double each on tonight's programme… @Beautystablehk #HappyWednesday | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/qvWsBLfszd

— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 12, 2025

7. Noisy Boy (AUS)

Won one of his 10 starts in Australia but did manage a second in the G2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m). Imported in June, he made his Hong Kong debut in November, finishing down the track over 1400m. At his third start in the jurisdiction, he won comfortably over the Happy Valley 2200m before following up in an extended band Class 2 over 2000m at Sha Tin. Disappointing in the Classic Cup but admittedly was given little hope there. The only course and distance winner in this year’s Derby.

8. Stunning Peach (IRE)

Won two of his five starts in Europe when named Islandsinthestream. Also runner-up as a juvenile in two Group 1 races, the first at seven furlongs and then over a mile and a quarter. Renamed Stunning Peach, he had three starts last season, winning at his final outing in a Class 3 over 1800m in June. This season, he has been placed on only one occasion from five starts – a Class 2 over 2000m – and was just fair when sixth in the Classic Cup last time out.

9. Steps Ahead (AUS)

Won one of his four starts as a three-year-old, taking a 1400m Class 4 at the Season Finale in July. Returned a winner in a 1400m Class 3 in November before two decent placings at 1400m and a mile. Poor in a Classic Series trial over a mile before returning to form when winning a Class 3 up to 1800m. Outran his odds for a decent fifth in the Classic Cup.

Steps Ahead outlasts Lo Rider! Francis Lui's #4YOSeries aspirant wins for the first time over 1800m with @Atzenijockey up at Sha Tin…#LoveRacing | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/QJZ9mpN3Vw

— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 16, 2025

10. Californiatotality (AUS)

Had 10 starts as a three-year-old from 1400m to 1650m, winning twice over the Sha Tin 1600m. Started the season at the top of Class 4 and has won three of his seven starts despite his inability to draw a gate. Stuck on fairly from a wide gate when eighth in the Classic Cup.

11. Markwin (AUS)

Debuted in October, recording two placings in Class 4 races over 1400m before winning at his third start under similar conditions. Followed up in a Class 3 over 1400m on HKIR day. Has placed in three of his five starts since and was hard to assess when a luckless 11th in the Classic Mile. Ran second last time out over 1800m behind Bundle Award.

Bundle Award punches his 2025 @BMW Hong Kong Derby ticket! 🔥@BenThompson2102 gets John Size's galloper home from the back of the field for a first Class 2 win at Sha Tin… #HKracing pic.twitter.com/erpfaq3dNP

— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 9, 2025

12. Cap Ferrat (AUS)

Remains a maiden through 16 starts in Australia and Hong Kong. Placings in Sydney include a second in the G1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) to Tom Kitten and a third in the G1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) behind Riff Rocket and Ceolwulf. Shaped as a promising Classic Series candidate when second under topweight in a Class 3 over 1600m in December but was poor in both the Classic Mile (12th) and Classic Cup (ninth).

13. Lo Rider (GB)

Won two of his four starts at 1600m and 1800m in Ireland when named Sharinay. Imported in September, he debuted over 1400m in December, finishing midfield at his first three starts in Class 3. He ran Steps Ahead to a neck when second in a Class 3 over 1800m before finishing fourth behind Bundle Award last time out.

14. Mickley (IRE)

Won three of five starts in the UK, culminating with victory in the Britannia Handicap over the straight mile at Royal Ascot. Has proved something of an enigma through his eight starts in Hong Kong, winning over a mile at his second Sha Tin start before mixing his form from 1600m to 2000m. Ran home well for fifth in the Classic Mile but very disappointing when last in the Classic Cup ∎

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).

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