Aiming to extend a searing campaign with success in the HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (23 March), master trainer John Size will saddle impressive last-start winners Bundle Award and Beauty Alliance along with Mickley in search of a fourth Classic victory.

Previously successful with Fay Fay (2012), Luger (2015) and Ping Hai Star (2018), Size has also finished second with Endowing (2013), Waikuku (2019) and Tuchel (2023) and third with Brave Kid (2010) and Beauty Eternal (2023).

The 12-time Hong Kong champion trainer has rattled off 10 winners across five meetings this month to lead the 2024/25 standings with 42 wins – four clear of Australian compatriot David Hayes (38), Pierre Ng (33), Danny Shum (32), Mark Newnham (32), Ricky Yiu (31) and Caspar Fownes (30).

Size hopes his BMW Hong Kong Derby entrants can add further lustre to another imposing campaign when his trio vies with Rubylot, My Wish, Johannes Brahms, Stunning Peach, Packing Angel, Noisy Boy, Cap Ferrat, Steps Ahead, Californiatotality, Markwin and Lo Rider.

“I think two of them (Bundle Award and Beauty Alliance) have been very impressive winners of their last start, so it’s very exciting,” Size said. “Mickley has done well, he’s had a bit of tough racing and he’s come through it okay.

“His last start (14th behind Rubylot in the Hong Kong Classic Cup, 1800m) was disappointing but things didn’t go his way in the run. Since then, he’s had a bit of an ease up. I sent him to Conghua.

“He won a race here at his second start in Hong Kong, which is not an easy thing to do and then continued to race well after that. He was a bit unlucky the other day. The last start is the only blemish on his copybook.”

Mickley, winner of the Britannia Stakes (1600m) at Royal Ascot in 2024, will be ridden by champion English jockey Ryan Moore in the BMW Hong Kong Derby.

Bundle Award charged into BMW Hong Kong Derby contention with a withering finish to win over 1800m on 9 March, clocking 22.11s for the final 400m after coming from last of 12 runners on the home turn.

“He (Bundle Award) was ridden back in the field and allowed to finish the race off the other day, so he adapted to that very well. I think his finishing speed puts him in the race with a live chance,” Size said.

Winner of three of four Australian starts when he raced as Prince Prawn for Allan & Jason Williams, Bundle Award has had five starts for two wins in Hong Kong.

Ben Thompson retains the ride on the Shamus Award gelding.

Having started the season on a mark of 50, Beauty Alliance forged into BMW Hong Kong Derby reckoning with two emphatic Happy Valley wins, both over 1800m.

“His improvement has been massive since the beginning of the season. He’s one of those horses who has run into form at the right time,” Size said.

“He’s one of the horses who does extremely well and he’s always been very tough. He just needed some racing and a bit distance to show up.”

Alexis Badel will ride Beauty Alliance hoping to emulate his 2023 BMW Hong Kong Derby triumph on Voyage Bubble.

Apart from Moore, four other overseas jockeys will feature in Sunday’s (23 March) Classic – Joao Moreira (Packing Angel), Christophe Soumillon (Noisy Boy), Craig Williams (Cap Ferrat) and William Buick (Markwin).