Furore set the benchmark for this year’s BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) with an impressive Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) victory last weekend but with the big feature still six weeks away there is time for a late-comer or two to emerge from back in the four-year-old pack.

Circuit Number Two (121lb) is one of five Derby entrants in Saturday’s (2 February) Class 2 Beas River Handicap (1600m) at Sha Tin and jockey Karis Teetan is looking for a Classic signal from the Tony Cruz-trained galloper.

The Teofilo gelding looked a smart prospect when winning first-up this term but has not raced since a solid follow-up third at the course and distance in mid-October.

“When I first rode him at the beginning of the season I think the Derby was in our minds,” Teetan said this morning, Friday, 1 February. “He has a chance tomorrow but the race will also tell us whether or not he’s one that can press forward into the Derby.

“He impressed me how he fought on that first time I won on him. He’s a horse with a beautiful nature and he still ran a very good race with me last time.”

Circuit Number Two had a minor issue after his third-place behind Victory Boys and recuperated at the Jockey Club’s facility at Conghua from 2 November until 13 January. A barrier trial there at the start of last month suggested he was on the way back and another trial, this time at Happy Valley under Vincent Ho two weeks ago, confirmed that impression as he passed the post first, ahead of the Teetan-ridden stablemate Super Chic.

“He’s had this little break and he looks like he’s come back healthy and is ready to go again,” Teetan said. “His last trial at the Valley, it seemed like the horse has come good and is feeling well so tomorrow’s race will let us see what he can do.

“He’s a lovely horse and definitely, if he’s improved from the last time and got mentally and physically better, I think he’s going to run big. On what he’s done, going forward you’d think he’d be a nice horse.”

Enrichment (119lb), Epic (121lb), Gold Chest (124lb) and Kings Shield (120lb) are the other Derby wannabes in the 13-runner field.

Enrichment finished upside Circuit Number Two on his seasonal debut in October. The Australian import is one of champion trainer John Size’s Conghua team and has been based there since early September.

A Teofilo gelding too, the bay returned to action in a hot Class 2 on 6 January, finishing fourth to Ka Ying Star, just a shade behind Furore. Joao Moreira will take the ride for the first time tomorrow.

The Cruz-trained Epic has also been based at Conghua where he has worked through four barrier trials ahead of his Hong Kong debut. Douglas Whyte takes the mount on the British import – fourth in last season’s G2 Dante Stakes.

Iron for Rispoli

Jockey Umberto Rispoli is enduring a cold winter run with his latest two wins stretched through December and January. His latest score was back on 6 January but the talented Italian is keeping a diligent focus and has a book of seven rides tomorrow.

Among them is the debutant Iron King (127lb), one of six first starters in race three, the Class 4 Yin Kong Handicap (1000m).

“He’s a very nice little horse and he’s been training for a long time now,” Rispoli said of the Dennis Yip-trained three-year-old.

“His first trial he showed something nice; his second trial he was a bit keen on the dirt; the third time we decided to sit him behind just to teach him something and he finished off pretty well. But this is his first race so it’s not going to be easy.

“The perfect race is going to be with some speed on,” he added.

The contest also features the third-time starter Meridian Genius (130lb) who finished a close second to Winner Supreme last time.

Saturday’s action starts at 1pm with the Class 5 Jockey Club Road Handicap (1000m).