Plenty has gone right for James Orman during his first month in Hong Kong and the 27-year-old will look to continue that momentum when he jumps aboard the Tony Cruz-trained Californiatotality in the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) at Sha Tin this Sunday.
Victorious with two of the first six rides of his initial six-week contract, Orman has already had his stay extended until the end of the season and now he will take part in Hong Kong’s most coveted contest for the first time.
“It’s great news,” said the Australian. “I’m just excited to have a Derby ride, for one, and it’s great to have one that looks like he can be a good chance in the race if he can get circumstances to suit.
“It looks like anything could win the race and I’m riding for a gun trainer, too, so I can’t wait.”
The well-supported Californiatotality wears down Pray For Mir! @brentonavdulla @LONGINES | #HKIR | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/FpgzHrvhUd
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) December 8, 2024
While Californiatotality won’t demand the attention of some of the bigger names in the build-up to this weekend, two of his three wins this season have been over 1,800m and he will be sent out by a Hong Kong legend with two Derby wins on his training CV.
“He looks like he should run the distance, so that’s a positive, and it looks a fairly open race,” said Orman.
For Orman, a three-time champion jockey in Queensland, earning a Derby mount is just the next step in continuing to entrench himself in the city’s riding ranks.
“I’m really happy. I’ve just got to keep building the relationships with everyone and keep trying to ride good races every time,” said the jockey, who has five rides at Happy Valley on Wednesday night including the smart Aurora Lady in the evening’s Class Two.
Californiatotality salutes under Brenton Avdulla at Sha Tin last month.
Cruz will take a two-pronged attack into Sunday’s Derby, confirming Karis Teetan will replace James McDonald aboard his other runner, Stunning Peach.
“I’m very happy with both of them, they’re going well. They’ll get the 2,000m, which is a positive,” he said. “The 2,000m is definitely more appropriate for Stunning Peach.”
Like Orman, Cruz looks a winning chance in the Class Two Sports Handicap (1,200m) at the midweek meeting, saddling up Son Pak Fu, Superb Capitalist and Gustosisimo.
“Son Pak Fu is pretty good at Happy Valley. He does have top weight to carry but he’s still the better horse of my three, I reckon,” said Cruz.
Son Pak Fu dives late to claim Copartner Prance!
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 26, 2025
Tony Cruz's charge gets the Class 1 win under a supreme @mattLchadwixk ride at Happy Valley... 💥#HappyWednesday | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/vqIlxVIMqB
In other Derby jockey news, William Buick will jet into ride Markwin for Cody Mo Wai-kit, joining Joao Moreira (Packing Angel), Ryan Moore (Mickley), Christophe Soumillon (Noisy Boy) and Craig Williams (Cap Ferrat) in descending on Sha Tin for the HK$26 million showcase.
Looking further ahead, the Jockey Club has received 23 entries for the two Group Two contests on March 30.
The Chairman’s Trophy (1,600m) is likely to have a full field, with big names Beauty Eternal and Galaxy Patch joined by the likes of Beauty Joy, Chancheng Glory, Five G Patch, Mugen, Straight Arron and Sunlight Power among 15 nominations.
Connections of only seven gallopers have shown a willingness to tackle Ka Ying Rising in the Sprint Cup (1,200m), with Beauty Waves, Copartner Prance, California Spangle, Gorgeous Win, Helios Express, Lucky With You and Magic Control setting their sights on the world’s best sprinter.
