Fay Fay pulled off a sensational victory in the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby 2012 (Group I), at Sha Tin on Sunday. And trainer John Size, it is the first Derby success while jockey Douglas Whyte turned out victorious for the second time in a row.

The son of Falkirk was not an expensive purchase, as a yearling, in New Zealand and had a modest beginning. In fact many had their apprehensions about Fay Fay staying the Derby distance of 1m 2fs and being drawn 14, looked to be an added disadvantage. There was spirited betting on Fay Fay and the price shortened, to close a little over 7-2 during race time.

Whyte was quick to have the gelding well up with the pace and on turning for the straight, he made headway to surge ahead with a swift turn of foot. Same World and Sweet Orange came up strongly in the last 100 m but Fay Fay went past the wire. a ‘neck’ clear and Whyte had punched his fist in the air, in celebration.

“We did our homework and felt it would be better to dictate matters rather than be dictated too," Whyte said. “It's great to win this race again but it feels even more special today because I have had a great relationship with John [Size] over the years and it's fantastic to win the race for him."

“It's always nice to win a big race and in Hong Kong the big race to win is the Derby," John Size said.

The next assignment for Fay Fay could be the G1 Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup, over this track and distance Apr. 29.