Waikuku and Enrichment will vie for the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) spotlight at Sha Tin tomorrow (Saturday, 2 March) in what promises to be an informative trial for the premier four-year-old classic in two weeks’ time.

Trainer John Size’s pair will line up in the Class 2 Lion City Handicap (1800m), a race which in the past 10 years has fallen to subsequent Derby victors Collection and Akeed Mofeed.

Jockey Joao Moreira is seeking a fourth win on the exciting Waikuku at what will be the bay’s fifth Hong Kong start. But the Harbour Watch gelding will have to overcome top-weight (133lb) and the widest draw in gate 12 for his first ever race beyond seven furlongs.

“If we think he’s a potential Derby winner, we’ve got to believe that he’s capable of facing these tough situations and overcoming them. I have a lot of faith in him and hopefully we’re not wrong about him,” Moreira said this morning (Friday, 1 March).

After going down by a nose on debut, Waikuku has impressed and improved through each of three handicap wins, all at 1400m. Last time out, the Irish import endured a tough run yet still overcame the talented five-year-old Good Standing by a head.

“His last run, he had to do it tough because he was not able to slot in and get cover and he did beat a very strong horse, in my opinion,” Moreira said.

“He’s done a very good job so far. I’m not disappointed with any of his performances – every time he’s gone out there he’s done his very best.

“This time, the gate is not helping us very much. It’s another thing to add to the challenge for him, but what he’s done so far he gives us the confidence that he can cope with tough situations and if things go his way he’s capable of overcoming it again.”

Moreira had the sit on Enrichment (124lb) for that gelding’s last two runs and the latest produced a Derby-pointing victory over 2000m.

“They both are very nice horses and they’re both up-and-coming still. This race is going to tell us where they are but they’re both going out there on Saturday with a very good chance,” the Brazilian said.

With Moreira aboard Waikuku, Size has called on Neil Callan to steer Enrichment for the first time.

“Most people would want to pay John to ride his horses rather than him pay you!” Callan said of the surprise call-up.

“When he asks you to ride one you try your best to accommodate him because he’s got a pretty big record here and his horses are jumping out of their skin at the moment. I only picked the ride up after entries.”

The Irishman has had to battle to reach 10 wins in what has been a tough season so far.

“For me, things have been going slowly but it’s Hong Kong, it is what it is and I’m just glad to be getting the opportunity.”

Eight of the contest’s 12 runners are Derby eligible.

Stunning’s strong trial

The morning’s barrier trials saw two-time G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint hero Mr Stunning in action. Karis Teetan had a tight hold on the coiled Frankie Lor-trained speedster down the home straight. The bay cruised past the post third in a 1050m dirt heat.

“He’s been off for a month so it was an easy trial to get him going,” Teetan said. “He felt very healthy, he’s in good condition and he looks like he’s holding nice form. Once he gets a few horses around him he can relax and in the straight I just wanted to pull him out a little bit just to keep him calm. He was ready for me to ask him but we’ll save that for later on!”

Trainer Tony Millard is chasing a Dubai invitation for Elusive State and this season’s dirt track revelation had an easy time of things in batch 1 over 1200m. The five-year-old, unbeaten this season, had an easy time of it under Silvestre de Sousa, closing at leisure as he warmed up for a Sha Tin engagement eight days hence.

“I’m happy with him. The idea was to have a nice quiet trial, he’s spot on so it’s a case of keeping him in good health,” De Sousa said.

Caspar Fownes, meanwhile, confirmed that Southern Legend is still on for a tilt at the Dubai Turf at the end of March. The gelding had been due to fly to the UAE yesterday (28 February) but that was shelved after connections decided to go straight to the World Cup fixture rather than also take in the Super Saturday meeting at Meydan on 9 March.

“We decided to go straight to the race at the World Cup meeting, fly him in for that one run like we did when he won the race in Singapore last year,” Fownes said as he watched the stable’s Rise High impress with a purring run from deep in the morning’s second batch (dirt, 1200m).

Saturday’s action starts at 1pm with the Class 4 Changi Handicap (1000m) and concludes with the Class 3 Merlion Handicap (1400m) at 5.45pm, in which the promising talent Right Choice will attempt to take his record to four wins from five starts.