New Zealand-bred Sky Darci shines in Hong Kong Derby to beat Russian Emperor
The Oaks Stud-based stallion Darci Brahma (Danehill) sired his 52nd stakes winner on Sunday when his New Zealand-bred son Sky Darci (4 g ex Strictly Maternal by O'Reilly) was given an inspired ride by Joao Moreira to win the Hong Kong Derby (Listed, 2000m) at Sha Tin.
Moreira placed the Caspar Fownes-trained gelding in midfield for the early part of the contest, before beginning to make his move with four furlongs left to travel.
As the field entered the final 400 metres, Moreira asked the four-year-old to quicken and he responded in fine style, slicing through the field to hit the front. The gelding had to be kept up to his work in the dying strides, repelling the late advances of the fast-finishing Russian Emperor (Galileo) - who is a son of multiple Group 1-winning Australian mare Atlantic Jewel (Fastnet Rock) - eventually beating him by a head. Panfield (Lookin At Lucky) was another half a length away in third.
Sunday’s victory was Sky Darci’s sixth in 12 starts and the first since his win in the Chevalier Cup (1600m) last November. The gelding’s prize-money earnings now stand at HK$21,037,965.
“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 (Danehill Dancer).
“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 a query for us but we’ve got the soft gate and he’s in perfect condition. So, good luck’.”
Like Fownes, Sunday’s win was the second in the race for Moreira, with the jockey having landed the 2017 edition on Rapper Dragon (Street Boss) and many thought a second win in the race was looking unlikely this year, with Sky Darci coming into the race having finished six and seventh in the Hong Kong Classic Mile (Listed, 1600m) and Hong Kong Classic Cup (Listed, 1800m) respectively on his two previous starts.
“It was such a smooth run – he jumped out well and immediately I just grabbed hold of him and tried to put him to sleep,” Moreira said.
“Once those two horses (Healthy Happy and Silver Express) ran away in front, it was such a good section for us and at the 800 metre mark when Russian Emperor was moved out and left the fence for me to start improving, it actually forced me to go a little bit too early.
“I had to angle my way out but once I got into the straight, I had taken the lead a little bit too early but I knew I was on the best horse in the race and I had a lot of confidence in the horse.
“I knew they (rival runners) were coming, they were good horses as well. He’s not a specialist 2000 metre horse, in my opinion, but he’s got heart and even if they were coming, he was giving his best.
“Going across the line, oh my goodness, it’s such a meaningful race for me, for Casper too and his family.
“This is the first Classic that I’ve had for him (Fownes). I haven’t had too many rides in the big races for him and he’s a tough trainer, he’s won the championship a number of times, he’s won the Derby before and this is such a great training achievement.
“He’s got this horse to a great level – if he didn’t do such a great job, I don’t think we would have won the race.”
Sky Darci was purchased for NZ$160,000 at Book 1 of the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka National Yearling Sale from the Highden Park draft by the Kwan family.
The gelding is out of the unraced O’Reilly (Last Tycoon) mare Strictly Maternal, making him a half-brother to 2017 Brisbane Cup (Gr 2, 2200m) winner Chocante (Shocking).
Being out of a daughter of O’Reilly, the gelding becomes the fourth stakes winner bred on this cross and the quartet is headed by Group 1 winner Irish Fling, while he becomes the 92nd stakes winner for O’Reilly as broodmare sire.
The gelding’s third dam is Group 3 winner Red Chiffon (Sovereign Red), while further back this is the same pedigree as Group 2 winner Hadabeclorka (Hurricane Sky), Group 3 scorer Danebar (Danehill Dancer) and Listed-winning pair Songs Of Vienna (Umatilla) and City Of Song (Bel Esprit).
Darci Brahma has sired 31 winners in Hong Kong and Sky Darci becomes his third stakes winner in the region, joining Group 1 winner D B Pin and Group 3 scorer Full Of Beauty.
