Beauty Eternal could scarcely have been more impressive in winning his last three starts, but as the dominant Hong Kong Derby favourite tackles 2000 metres for the first time at Sha Tin on Sunday, what tactics might jockey Zac Purton and trainer John Size be hoping to execute?

“I can see Zac riding this horse in a similar manner to that of Luger, another of John Size’s three Derby winners from the past,” said Asian Racing Report’s Michael Cox on this week’s episode of Asian Racing Review.

“How Zac Purton rode Luger in winning the (2015) Derby was to get him out and just put him near the speed and stay out of trouble. Let’s take luck out of the equation and back the fact that we’re riding the best horse in the race.

“And that’s how I expect Beauty Eternal to be ridden.”

Beauty Eternal will jump a warm favourite in the Derby with the Chris So-trained Super Sunny Sing, himself chasing a fifth-straight victory, rated as his most likely challenger.

Also in this week’s Asian Racing Review: 

Unpacking the Hong Kong Derby barrier draw (0:00); Is Beauty Eternal a 2000 metre horse? (2:17); How will Zac Purton ride the favourite? (3:50); ‘Quiet confidence’ in Super Sunny Sing camp (6:45); Sydney jockeys not thrilled with J-Mac’s stewards’ room ‘discount’ (9:21); G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup clash: Spangle vs Sweynesse vs Wellington (10:30); Fabre stable swoops on Bauyrzhan Murzabayev (13:10); Asian Racing Report Podcast launch: Episode 1 with Christophe Lemaire (15:11).

*Apologies for the technical issues in this week’s recording, with Coxy’s audio racing a bit keen. Blinkers to be applied next start!

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