Eager to repay owner and trainer loyalty, Ben Thompson aims to complete a remarkable chapter in his career when Bundle Award chases victory in the HK$26 million Hong Kong Derby (2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Thompson clinched the mount on Bundle Award with a patient and perfectly-timed ride on the Shamus Award gelding over 1800m at Sha Tin on March 9 to secure a crucial rise in the handicap to 86 and a place in the Derby field.
“It’s an amazing opportunity and I’m very grateful to his owner, Colin Lo, and John Size for the opportunity,” Thompson said.
“To pick up the ride on him last time after riding him in his first start here, he was a horse that I was very, very hopeful of getting back on and to do that and to win and be in Hong Kong’s biggest race is a huge thrill.
“He was fantastic last time and it came as no surprise, given his credentials before landing in Hong Kong, his win two starts prior and runs behind some nice horses in each of his five runs here. There were plenty of merit to all of those performances.”
Ridden quietly last start, Bundle Award steamed home over the final 400m in 22.11s to down fellow Hong Kong Derby aspirants Markwin (second) and Lo Rider (fourth) and, after drawing barrier nine this weekend, Thompson could adopt similar tactics on Sunday.
“Unlike most draws leading into a feature race, I really wasn’t too concerned. I’m not sure how John Size or connections were thinking or hopeful for, but I think he showed off his turn of foot the other day, it’s not essential to draw a certain alley,” Thompson said.
“Barrier nine’s nice. Actually, it’s funny on the way over I said to my wife Steph that I just want a number that feels lucky and my brother’s born on the 9th, so hopefully that brings us some luck.”
Echoing Thompson’s hopes of maiden Hong Kong Derby success is his Australian compatriot Brenton Avdulla, who partners HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) victor Rubylot from barrier four.
“He begins, switches off and he’s got a change-up speed, so he’s got three brilliant things going for him. It will be interesting to see how he handles the 2000m – I think he will (handle it),” Avdulla said.
“He’s a lovely-moving horse and the way he finished in the Classic Cup should hold him in good stead for the 2000m. Anyone who comes to Hong Kong wants to win a Derby, so it would be a massive thrill.
“Obviously, California Spangle has been a pin-up horse for me since I’ve been here, but Rubylot is getting there and if he can win a Hong Kong Derby, it would be very special.”
Bundle Award and Rubylot face 12 rivals in the third and final leg of the HK$52 million Four-Year-Old Classic Series – My Wish, Johannes Brahms, Stunning Peach, Packing Angel, Mickley, Noisy Boy, Cap Ferrat, Steps Ahead, Californiatotality, Markwin, Lo Rider and Beauty Alliance.
Seven-time champion jockey Zac Purton took another crucial step forward in his return to race riding this morning (Friday) when he partnered Ka Ying Rising to an impressive 1200m barrier trial win on dirt at Sha Tin.
Sitting in second place until well into the straight, the world’s highest-rated sprinter cruised past Sword Point to win by one and three-quarter lengths in 1m 10.24s ahead of his start in the HK$5.35 million Group 2 Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin on March 30.
“I wouldn’t say I’m fully recovered, but I’m a long way down the track,” Purton said.
“I’m gearing up for a return next week. (Ka Ying Rising) just did what we expect from him this morning – he just keeps improving all the time.
“He seems to do it easier all the time. His mental attitude, he seems to be handling it better all the time. He enjoyed himself. I’m looking forward to the races ahead.”
Subject to a medical clearance, Purton is expected to have a full book of rides on his return, including Galaxy Patch in the HK$5.35 million Group 2 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m).
Purton guided Pierre Ng’s galloper into second place behind He Was You in this morning’s second batch of trials.
Sunday’s Hong Kong Derby Day meeting starts with the Class 4 Luger Handicap (1400m) at 1pm HKT.
The Hong Kong Derby is carded as Race 7 and will be run at 4.05pm HKT.
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