He knows what it takes to win Hong Kong’s most prestigious race but Tony Millard is keeping his cards close to his chest in regards to the chances of his two runners in a contest he predicts will “be the slowest Derby in the history of the Derby”.

The South African, who won the BMW Hong Kong Derby in 2000 with Keen Winner and 2011 with Ambitious Dragon, saddles up Panfield and Maximus in the 2,000m test at Sha Tin on Sunday.

“It’s going to be very tough. I think it could be the slowest Derby in the history of the Derby because you’ve got a whole lot of milers trying to stretch to 2,000m,” he said.

“I think they’re going to absolutely walk and then sprint home. All of the speed horses have drawn well. I can’t see the race being run any other way.”

Millard labelled Panfield a “proper Derby horse” after his Class Two win over 2,000m last month but knows Chad Schofield will have his work cut out from gate 12 aboard the three-time Chilean Group One winner.

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Maximus has drawn nicely in four, however, and Millard was more bullish about the European import’s chances under Matthew Poon Ming-fai.

“Panfield has drawn in the bush and he hasn’t got early speed, so it’s going to be very tough. We’re hoping for a miracle,” Millard said.

“Maximus is going to be in exactly the right spot if they [travel slowly] because he has got speed. We’re going to be sitting right up there and if they walk coming into the straight Maximus will take four lengths off them. We’re just going to have to hang in there.”

Two horses expected to go forward along with Maximus are Silver Express and Healthy Happy – who led throughout to snare the Classic Cup – but Millard does not expect a speed battle.

“[Alexis] Badel made them walk in the [Classic Cup aboard Healthy Happy] and he’s got a great draw. Why won’t he do the same thing again? That’s what I’d do,” he said.

Panfield is one of only five rides for Schofield but his book is very much quality over quantity, with the 27-year-old also jumping aboard Fantastic Treasure and Flagship Glory.

Schofield partnered the David Hayes-trained Fantastic Treasure to victory on debut last month and is confident he can make it two from two in the Class Four Super Satin Handicap (1,200m).

“I don’t think his future lies in Class Four, he’s a bit better than them. It’s obviously going to be harder with more weight and an awkward draw [eight] but hopefully his ability – albeit raw ability – can get the job done.”

Frankie Lor Fu-chuen’s Flagship Glory was considered unlucky not to get a run in the Derby and will instead line up in the Class Two Rapper Dragon Handicap (1,600m), with Schofield in the saddle for the first time.

“I haven’t ridden him in a race but I did gallop him on Thursday and I think even beyond a mile would be really suitable for him,” the jockey said.

“We saw last start he was very strong through the line. He’s good at a mile but I think he’ll be even better over a bit further later.”