Champion British jockey William Buick has been booked to ride Chancheng Glory in the HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) on March 24.

A prolific Group One winner worldwide, Buick was snapped up by connections of Francis Lui Kin-wai’s gelding after his close second to Helios Express in the Classic Cup (1,800m) last start.

Buick won the Group One QE II Cup on Pakistan Star in 2018 and last rode in Hong Kong at the Longines Hong Kong International Races in December, with his best result third on Namur in the Group One Hong Kong Mile.

“One of the owners in the syndicate knows him or a friend of his,” Lui said of Buick’s booking.

Chancheng Glory emerged as a four-year-old series contender with four consecutive wins over 1,600m at Sha Tin between October and December.

Sent out at the big odds of $52 with Keagan de Melo in the saddle, the son of Mor Spirit almost caused a huge upset when he fought strongly on the speed and was only beaten a short head by Helios Express in the Classic Cup.

“The horse keeps improving,” Lui said. “He should go well over further because he’s got a big stride and there isn’t usually much pace in those races.”

As Pierre Ng Pang-chi suggested on Sunday, he has opted for an Australian jockey to ride Galaxy Patch in the Derby with Blake Shinn to take the mount.

Moments after confirming Buick’s booking at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, Lui tasted success when Copartner Prance cruised to victory in the second section of the Class Four Green Island Handicap (1,200m).

Ridden by Zac Purton, Copartner Prance justified $2.40 favouritism with a strong victory to deliver Lui his 40th triumph of the season.

“If you look at him, he’s still green,” Lui said after Copartner Prance scored his first win at start five. “He can improve out of this race.”

Elsewhere at the Valley, apprentice jockey Ellis Wong Chi-wang, 23, celebrated the first double of his Hong Kong career when he guided the Manfred Man Ka-leung-trained Happy Horse and Danny Shum Chap-shing’s Moments In Time to victory.

“It feels amazing,” Wong said. “Thanks to Danny and Manfred for their support. I’m very happy.

“Moments In Time was really strong, we had a good pace and he followed really nicely and won easily. It’s a great night.”

Purton scored a double after also winning on John Size’s Raging Blizzard and Harry Bentley joined him with a brace aboard Douglas Whyte’s King Eccellente and the Mark Newnham-trained Show Respect.

The second leg of a double for Newnham after Master Of Luck won earlier for Brenton Avdulla, Show Respect was the first Hong Kong winner in the Yulong Investments colours of owner Zhang Yuesheng.

Avdulla rounded out his own double when he booted home the Tony Cruz-trained Beauty Charge in the Class Two Soko Islands Handicap (1,200m).

Earlier, Matthew Poon Ming-fai made an immediate impact in his return from a five-meeting careless riding suspension, guiding Happy Fat Cat to an upset win in the second section of the Class Three Cheung Chau Handicap (1,200m).

“I had two long suspensions and, at the beginning of the season, I think I missed the kick – I didn’t have too many rides,” Poon said.

“So it was pretty tough. But now everything is going the right way and slowly getting better.”