As Sunday's highly competitive BMW Hong Kong Derby is dissected and scrutinised from all angles, it seems Tony Cruz-trained Beauty Only is the runner being squeezed out of some calculations.

Jockey Neil Callan has bristled at suggestions his ride, a dominant winner of the Hong Kong Classic Mile two starts back, was the forgotten horse.

"They won't be forgetting him on Sunday, I can assure you of that," said the Irish rider, buoyed by a strong turf gallop on Monday, where the four-year-old ran his last 400 metres in 22.5 seconds. "He was pulling my arms out and he is absolutely flying."

The former Italian-trained galloper was fourth in the Hong Kong Classic Cup as 2.6 favourite and Callan said: "People obviously have short memories, that was a good effort. It had rained and, even though the track was rated good, it was a bit tacky underfoot. He doesn't want it too firm, but he is better on top of the ground."

A win to Beauty Only would give Cruz, who also saddles up Anticipation, seven victories after a record four as a jockey and two more as trainer. A victory would also deliver the family of Simon Kwok Siu-ming a first win in the race every owner wants to win, after six previous runners failed to salute, including 2010 favourite Beauty Flash.