The lure of the BMW Hong Kong Derby often makes owners and trainers do unconventional things and that will be the case again when Emblazon lines up in the city’s most coveted race next week.

Cody Mo Wai-kit will embrace the unconventional when the in-form galloper steps out beyond 1,400m for the first time, jumping from seven furlongs to the 2,000m of the Derby on Sunday week.

While it is certainly not the traditional path to the HK$26 million feature, it is not completely uncharted territory for a four-year-old to make such a significant leap in trip in the Derby.

Two years ago, Galaxy Patch jumped from the 1,400m of the Group One Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup to the Derby and almost pulled off the rare feat when he ran on from last to fall a neck short of Massive Sovereign in second.

His case was even more unconventional after he raced over the straight 1,000m just three weeks before the Derby.

In 2018, Ping Hai Star achieved what Emblazon will bid to do when he jumped from seven furlongs to the Derby trip, storming home from last to bag a famous victory for master trainer John Size.

In what shapes as a wide-open edition of the Derby, Emblazon arrives in red-hot form with five wins and a second from his six starts this season.

“The horse is much improved this season. He’s won five times up to 1,400m and I think he will handle the Derby trip fine,” Mo said.

“I think if we can get him in the box seat, I think he will see it out strongly.

“I think the way he settles will really help him – he’s been so consistent. I’m just going to try and keep him happy and healthy before the Derby. A lot depends on the draw but I trust Jerry [Chau Chun-lok] will do a great job on him – they get on really well.”

Emblazon will be the second Derby runner for Mo, whose first runner Markwin was well beaten last year, and second ride in the race for Chau, who finished fourth aboard Chill Chibi in 2024.

The son of Zoustar’s presence will be one of the most interesting subplots to the Derby, while another is the expected absence of champion jockey Zac Purton from the race.

After hopping off Sagacious Life after his distant last in the Classic Cup (1,800m) and no strong chances available, Purton looks set to be watching the final leg of the Classic Series from the weighing room.

China Win was perhaps Purton’s last shot at securing a Derby ride, but the David Hayes-trained gelding’s hopes of making the field were dashed when he ran a neck second to Fallon at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.

The Classic Series has been a disaster for Purton, who jumped off eventual winner Little Paradise – citing a distance query – among others to ride Sagacious Life in the Classic Mile.

Little Paradise dispelled Purton’s concerns with a stunning victory, while Sagacious Life could only manage fourth before dropping out in the Classic Cup after racing keenly and copping a check at the 200m.

Karis Teetan will replace Purton on Pierre Ng Pang-chi’s Sagacious Life. Top Dragon, a three-time winner under Purton, will be ridden by Andrea Atzeni in the Derby.

Ball bound for Champions Day

Japanese stayer Masquerade Ball is expected to make the trip to Hong Kong for the Group One QE II Cup (2,000m) at Sha Tin on April 26.

Connections of the Group One Tenno Sho (2,000m) winner and Group One Japan Cup (2,400m) runner-up opted to skip this month’s Dubai World Cup meeting with the uncertainty surrounding the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

He is expected to be among FWD Champions Day entries, which close on Monday.

Japan’s four-time Group One winner Jantar Mantar could also make the trip to Hong Kong for the Group One Champions Mile. He struggled on his first trip to the city when 13th to Voyage Bubble in the Group One Hong Kong Mile in 2024.