2024 BMW Hong Kong Derby-winning trainer Dennis Yip is expecting a forward showing again from Noisy Boy when the son of Real Steel lines up in Sunday’s (2 March) HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m), the second leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series.

Noisy Boy comes to the Hong Kong Classic Cup with fine form, winning his recent two starts over 2200m and 2000m, and Yip believes stamina will be the key in Sunday’s race where he believes Noisy Boy could have a staying edge and he is hopeful the horse can bring him his first Hong Kong Classic Cup honour.

Yip said: “He is the only runner in the field to have won 2000m or above in Hong Kong, and, in fact, the majority of the runners has yet to prove their stamina. As the Classic Cup is run over 1800m, the race can be a great challenge to some of the horses, distance-wise.”

“He is the one that keeps on improving and is currently in good form. The horse he beat last time (Winning Dragon) just finished fourth in a Group One race last weekend and obviously that had boosted the form of my horse,” Yip added.

Yip is also pleased with Noisy Boy’s recent trial performance, passing the post first in a 1700m trial at Happy Valley in fine style on 15 February.

“There was no suitable race for him last month (February) and as such I arranged a trial for him to keep him to have some works to do,” Yip said. “This was the same approach as last time, as he also trialled at Happy Valley before he won in January. This time he also trialled beautifully. He held his condition well and further improved,” Yip said.

“After winning last start Andrea (Atzeni) has said he will ride for me again this time, and he will be also the one to ride my horse in the Derby.

“He will go straight to the Derby after the Class Cup this weekend,” Yip said. Noisy Boy will jump from barrier 12 in Sunday’s race.

The Hong Kong Classic Cup field also includes My Wish, winner of the Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m), and Packing Hermod, Rubylot, Divano, Johannes Brahms, Stunning Peach, Mickley, Cap Ferrat, Californiatotality, Packing Angel, Mondial, Steps Ahead and Sky Trust.

Sunday’s (2 March) feature is the second leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series which culminates in the HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on 23 March.