Invincible Ibis justified jockey Hugh Bowman’s faith with victory in the BMW Hong Kong Derby at Sha Tin.
The Hellbent gelding came home one-and-a-quarter lengths clear of longtime leader Numbers, with Stormy Grove a further short head back in third.
Bowman timed his challenge to perfection on the Mark Newnham-trained four-year-old who had finished sixth to Little Paradise in the Hong Kong Classic Mile and second to Stormy Grove in the Hong Kong Classic Cup.
“As we started to come round the home turn, I thought ‘I’m in business here, I really am’,” Bowman said.
“The run was economical, so when I brought him to the outside and let him down, it was no surprise that he went the way that he did and I’m very proud of him. It means a lot to win the race for a third time and being based here now, and it makes it a bit more special for some reason or other.
“Thank you to Mark and the team for preparing this horse in such magnificent order. He really did peak this afternoon, and the distance was a query, no doubt about it, but he came through with flying colours.
“He just gave me the sweetest ride throughout the entire trip. We were aided by a good draw, of course, but the horse won with authority and I’m so proud to have won my third BMW Hong Kong Derby.”
