Hamelin Hopes Luck Continues in Derby

Jockey Antoine Hamelin picked up a double in Hong Kong over the weekend as well as the ride on $12 Hong Kong Derby chance Lucky Express (Toronado-Il Diamante, by Testa Rossa), reports scmp.com. "I'm very excited and privileged to ride in this race. Mr Size sent me a message and of course I said yes," Hamelin said. "I'll be trying my best and hopefully we can get the win." Two starts ago, Lucky Express ran second in the Listed Hong Kong Classic Mile, then ran into traffic in the Listed Hong Kong Classic Cup to finish only three lengths from the winner. On Sunday, Hamelin saluted on Ping Hai Brave (Red Dazzler-Mountain Bluebird, by Beautiful Crown) who has now won four of his last five starts, and has six wins in his career. "I was just waiting and then the gap opened, my horse took the bridle and just exploded to the line the last 100m," Hamelin said. "The horse liked it – the pace was fast, he was waiting behind and finished very strong." Hamelin's other winner on Sunday was Flying Bonus (Snitzel-Sabanci, by Encosta de Lago) who led all the way to win. "I've ridden the horse a couple of times before and every time I've gone to the front but this was the first time I didn't get pressured," Hamelin said. Flying Bonus, who raced in Australia as Bowerman, now has four wins to his credit.