Connections hopeful ahead of Hong Kong Derby for son of Atlantic Jewel

Connections are hoping that Russina Emperor (Galileo), who is out of Atlantic Jewel (Fastnet Rock), can win his first race in Hong Kong when he lines up in Sunday’s Hong Kong Derby (Listed, 2000m) and enhances his stallion potential. 

Formerly trained in Ireland by Aidan O’Brien and a winner of the Hampton Court Stakes (Gr 3, 1m2f) at Royal Ascot lats June, Russian Emperor has raced three times in Hong Kong and was most recently second in the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) at Sha Tin on February 21. 

“I’m looking forward to the Derby this season, I would say this could be my best Derby ride since I got to Hong Kong,” said jockey Karis Teetan. 

“I’m excited and looking forward to it.

“Of course, it’s going to be interesting for Douglas, too. For a new trainer to have a horse like that in the Derby is pretty interesting.

“Hopefully, we do well and his trial was good last week and so we’re looking forward to it.”

Should Russian Emperor win on Sunday, he will become just the fifth colt to win the race and Douglas Whyte said he is mindful that the son of Galileo (Sadler’s Wells) is a stallion prospect if he wins the Derby or a Group 1 race in Hong Kong.

“I can’t let those sort of things get to me, I dealt with all kinds of pressure as a jockey. He doesn’t know his breeding and fortunately he doesn’t know how valuable he is or can be either. I train him along those same lines,” Whyte told the South China Morning Post.

“I think [breeding] is what the owner has in the back of their mind. When you look at his bloodlines, if he can win this or win a Group One in Hong Kong, he is a stud prospect.”

The now Swettenham Stud-based Akeed Mofeed (Dubawi) won the 2013 Hong Kong Derby for Richard Gibson while Helene Mascot (Peintre Celebre), Lucky Owners (Danehill) and Johan Cruyff (Danehill) are the only other colts to have won the race since 1985.