Still basking in the glory of his Classic Cup victory, Harry Bentley is keen to continue his momentum at Sha Tin on Sunday with six rides, including Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) aspirant Fortune Boy and Group Two winner Tomodachi Kokoroe.

Bentley bagged one of the most significant successes of his Hong Kong career when he guided Stormy Grove to an upset triumph in last Sunday’s second leg of the four-year-old series, the Classic Cup (1,800m).

“Obviously delighted with how that all went – very exciting and now we look forward to the Derby,” Bentley said.

While Bentley is committed to riding Stormy Grove in the Derby, the British jockey can play a crucial role in helping a rival seal a berth in the March 22 feature when he teams up with Fortune Boy in Sunday’s Class Two Devon Handicap (1,800m).

Needing a win to boost his rating of 71 to make the Derby field, Fortune Boy will be on the quick backup from last Sunday when he stormed home from last to run a neck second to Gentlemen Legacy over 2,000m.

The David Hayes-trained gelding has been a model of consistency this season, notching a 1,600m win in October and five top-four finishes.

“I think this is his last chance to potentially get in the Derby, so I think that’s the main reason for backing him up,” Bentley said.

“He ran a good race last time in defeat and he’s carrying no weight in Class Two, so fingers crossed. It’s not an easy feat backing up over this sort of distance but if he can manage that back up, I’d like to think he’ll be close.”

Fortune Boy carries the minimum weight of 115lb in a competitive race headlined by impressive last-start winners Stunning Peach and Soleil Fighter.

Tomodachi Kokoroe, who delivered Bentley a Group Two victory in the Premier Bowl (1,200m) in October, tackles Sunday’s Class One Essex Handicap (1,200m).

The Hayes-trained gelding has been set a task against the world’s best sprinter Ka Ying Rising in recent starts and returns to his preferred trip after a last-start sixth to Patch Of Theta over 1,400m.

“It’s nice to not have to take on the likes of Ka Ying Rising,” said Bentley.

“It looks a competitive race – Patch Of Theta was impressive the time before last when he won, Fast Network has drawn really well and I think he’s going to run a big race.

“Tomodachi Kokoroe hasn’t been beaten far in Group company, so I think he’s certainly got a chance to be pretty close from that good draw.”

Tomodachi Kokoroe drew ideally in gate three.

While Bentley was thrilled with that draw, he bemoaned All Round Winner’s horror draw in barrier 14 for the Class Three Cumberland Handicap (1,400m).

The Australian import broke through for his first local success in style two starts ago and backed that up with an unlucky third to Aerovolanic on his latest appearance.

“It’s frustrating because it doesn’t leave you with many options, but hopefully we can have a nice run and get in somewhere with cover,” Bentley said of the draw.

“He likes to be midfield with a bit of cover, but that’s the way it goes. He’s going really well and steps back up to Class Three for the first time in a while. Off his low weight [116lb], I think he’ll run a big race but he just needs to have a smooth run.”

Bentley also rates Shamus Storm a solid chance in the Class Three Kowloon Tong Club Trophy (1,600m), while last-start runner-up Herbal Star and World Hero round out his book of rides at Sha Tin.