It Has to Be You for HK Derby

The lightly raced It Has To Be You (NZ) galloped his way into Hong Kong Derby calculations at Sha Tin last night with a breakthrough win in the HK-1 Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) – the second leg of the Hong Kong Four-Year-Old Series.

The Classic Cup is considered the major lead up race to the HK-1 Hong Kong Derby and It Has To Be You (Volksraad x Centalear) was left almost untouched on the tote after finishing a creditable fifth in the HK-1 Classic Mile at his last start, the first leg of the three-race Series.

Trained by John Size, It Has To Be You was given a great ride by jockey Tim Clark to earn his first HK-1 victory as he kept the son of Volksraad on the rails in the straight and used the gelding’s s turn of foot in the last 200 metres to hold off the late challengers to win by three-quarters of a length.

Familiar with Derby victory, John Size won last year’s Hong Kong Derby with the Karaka graduate Fay Fay (Falkirk) and is confident It Has To Be You will see out the 2000 metre trip.

“I think he will run further than 2000 metres, we just don’t have the races to try it,” said Size.

“In trackwork he bowls around the track like he would go two laps so we have no doubts about the distance, it’s just a matter of getting up to the distance that will let him show his prowess as a racehorse and I think the 1800 metres is the beginning of that.

“He’s done nothing wrong since he’s been in Hong Kong, he’s been progressive every step of the way. The tempo didn’t suit him last start and today he got more comfortable and was able to sprint in the finish.”

Kiwi horses completed the race quinella with President Lincoln (NZ) (O’Reilly) – winner of last season’s Group 2 NZB Wellington Guineas – producing a late finish to claim second place.

Bred by Peter Smith, It Has To Be You raced in New Zealand for trainer Bruce Wallace, winning two of his six starts, before being taken to Hong Kong. Now raced by Vicky Tang, It Has To Be You has won three of his seven Hong Kong starts for over NZ$1 million in stakes.

The son of Volksraad was purchased by Wallace Thoroughbreds from Maara Grange at the 2010 Karaka Select Sale for $20,000.

The final leg of Hong Kong’s Four-Year-Old Series – the Hong Kong Derby – will be held on Sunday 17 March and New Zealand horses and Karaka graduates have won the last three in a row with Super Satin, Ambitious Dragon and Fay Fay.