Yip keeps the faith in Noisy Boy
HONG KONG Dennis Yip will attempt to win a second consecutive HK$26 million (S$4.46 million) BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) at Sha Tin on March 23, when he saddles Noisy Boy in the third and the final leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series.
The 2024 Hong Kong Derby-winning trainer with Massive Sovereign, Yip is holding faith in Noisy Boy's ability and stamina to bounce back after the Real Steel gelding's disappointing 13th behind Rubylot in the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1,800m), the second leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series.
Noisy Boy is the only course-and-distance winner among the 2025 Derby field, beating Winning Dragon over 2,000m two starts back on Jan 19.
Winning Dragon went on to finish fourth in the Group 1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2,000m) to frank that form.
Yip explained Noisy Boy's last-start defeat, saying: "He was the victim of the race circumstances. My instruction was to ask the jockey to settle the horse in third or fourth position, or to take a soft lead if the pace was too slow.
"However, (the) jockey reported that after he jumped out quick, he couldn't cut across and had to make some use of the horse in the early stages and the horse was on the bridle to take the lead.
"His first three sectionals (13.82sec, 21.69sec and 23.85sec) were a bit too quick for him.
"Hopefully, with some on-pace runners like Beauty Alliance in the field, he can follow the leaders comfortably this time.
"As long as he can travel comfortably in the early stages, he should be very competitive as he is a very fit horse, and is the only one who had the winning record over the Hong Kong Derby distance."
Having finished second in the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes (2,000m) and eighth in the Group 1 Australian Derby (2,400m) in Australia pre-import, Noisy Boy won twice in Hong Kong from just five starts, breaking his local maiden over 2,200m at Happy Valley before winning over the Derby trip on Jan 19. He will be ridden by Christophe Soumillon on March 23.
Said Yip: "Christophe has plenty of experience in riding big races and he is also the one who will give you a detailed post-race report. I don't have too much concern on the draw, but of course anything from draw one to six will be ideal."
Noisy Boy clocked 52.4sec (28.9sec and 23.5sec) over 800m on turf on March 17 and Yip was pleased with the horse's progress ahead of Hong Kong Derby Day.
He also reckoned My Wish will be the major rival to Noisy Boy in the Derby.
"Last time, My Wish followed us in fast pace throughout the Hong Kong Classic Cup and still ran on well in the straight. As such, he will be one of the major contenders in this year's Derby," he said. HKJC
