The Hong Kong International Sale (HKIS) has received its share of criticism over the years, but the Jockey Club is hopeful some tweaks in approach will help it continue to ride the wave created by the success of Romantic Warrior.

While the sale has produced the likes of Good Ba Ba, Pakistan Star and reigning Group One Hong Kong Cup champion Romantic Warrior, there’s been plenty more misses than hits in its nearly 30-year history.

Building on the positive energy created by Romantic Warrior, however, is last year’s star graduate Nordic Dragon – who has won five times this season – and HKIS executive manager Danny Rolston is confident the sale can become more consistent in producing gallopers who are ready to withstand the rigours of racing in Hong Kong.

“We’re getting these horses a bit more seasoned, a bit more hardened,” said Rolston, who has been in his role a touch more than a year. “We’re trying to find that nice balance between protecting them and making sure we get everything here sound, but also putting enough pressure on them that we’re finding out enough about them.

“We feel like we’ve got the horses that step more forward again than what we had last year, and I think next year we’re going to have them just that little bit more seasoned again.”

Former star jockey Michael Kinane is the man charged with sourcing horses in the northern hemisphere, while Craig Rounsefell of Boomer Bloodstock takes care of the southern hemisphere.

The horses are then prepared by renowned equestrian Tim Boland in Australia and Group One-winning trainer Brian Meehan at the picturesque Manton Estate, where Wellington spent the build-up to his Royal Ascot run last weekend.

This year’s HKIS, which will take place in the Sha Tin parade ring on Friday night, will see 15 lots go under the hammer.

Waipiro ‘perfect’ for HK Derby

Trainer Ed Walker believes Siu Pak-kwan’s recent Royal Ascot winner, Waipiro, is the “perfect horse for the Hong Kong Derby”.

Having his fifth start for Walker, exciting three-year-old Waipiro put his rivals to the sword with an impressive two-and-a-quarter-length victory in the Group Three Hampton Court Stakes (2,000m) last week in what proved to be his final race in the United Kingdom.

“Unfortunately, Hong Kong,” Walker told Racing TV when quizzed about what the future holds for Waipiro.

“The reason I have horses for the Siu family – and they are such great supporters – is for that reason, to produce horses for Hong Kong.

“He is the perfect horse for the Hong Kong Derby. Mr Siu tries to buy one or two horses for the Hong Kong Derby every year. Why would you not take Waipiro?

“Every owner in Hong Kong wanting a European horse for the Derby would want Waipiro.

“He is the perfect horse. He loves fast ground. He’s got a high cruising speed, huge talent, 10 furlongs – he’s the right horse for the job.”

The Sius have been chasing Derby glory for years and will be hoping Waipiro can go one better than his half-brother Waikuku, who was runner-up to Furore in the 2019 edition of the prestigious 2,000m contest.

Prominent HK owners the Siu family take aim at Epsom Derby with Waipiro

Waipiro is far from the first galloper to find his way from the Hampton Court Stakes to Hong Kong, and he boasts a similar profile to Russian Emperor when the now three-time Group One winner’s European career came to a close.

Like Russian Emperor had pre-import, Waipiro has had five starts for two wins and produced a middling finish in the Group One Epsom Derby (2,400m).

While Russian Emperor’s Derby seventh came after his Hampton Court Stakes victory because of the pandemic, Waipiro’s Epsom sixth behind Auguste Rodin came 19 days before his Royal Ascot victory last week.

Just who will train Waipiro in Hong Kong remains an unknown, with the Siu family currently stabling horses with the likes of John Size, Frankie Lor Fu-chuen and Tony Cruz.