Dennis Yip Chor-hong is confident Massive Sovereign has a “very good chance” of dethroning the champion Romantic Warrior when the pair clash for the first time in Sunday’s Group One QE II Cup (2,000m) at Sha Tin.

Massive Sovereign became the first horse in 27 years to win a Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) at his second start in the city in March’s showpiece, and now Yip’s four-year-old will aim to enter even more rarefied air as he bids for QE II Cup glory on only his third appearance in the city.

“I think he’s got a very good chance,” Yip said. “He’s still improving. [Romantic Warrior] is the main one and I don’t know if we can beat him, but hopefully we can.”

A two-time winner from five starts in Ireland, Massive Sovereign burst onto the Hong Kong scene with a dismissive first-up victory over 2,000m before narrowly prevailing in a Derby for the ages.

After settling towards the rear of the field in the Classic Series finale, Massive Sovereign speared through a gap in the home straight and launched a powerful run to overhaul runaway leader Ka Ying Generation in the dying stages.

The son of No Nay Never will emulate Romantic Warrior if he completes the Derby-QE II Cup double and in the process prevent Danny Shum Chap-shing’s star from landing a historic hat-trick in the HK$28 million contest.

“Romantic Warrior has done very well, but Massive Sovereign is just at the start of his career,” Yip said. “I think he will show you something.

“Last Friday he trialled at Happy Valley. He really enjoyed the trial and finished very strong. I think soft ground will be no problem for him because in the trial the ground was a little bit soft.”

Oriental Express was the last galloper to take out the Derby on his second local start, snaring the race in 1997 before going onto finish fourth in the Gold Cup (2,000m) and QE II Cup on his next two outings.

While Massive Sovereign has the chance to outdo Oriental Express this weekend, Yip admits his exciting youngster didn’t initially show the signs of a top-class galloper.

“After a few times at trackwork I only knew he was very gentle,” Yip said. “He was not using his energy and he was very quiet.

“But, I remember when he first joined my stable, Zac [Purton] called me immediately. He sent me a video of him winning overseas and said ‘this horse, I’d like to ride him’.

“I’m very lucky because there was [Helios Express] but [Zac] was suspended, so Hugh Bowman took the ride. Then [Ensued’s] owner wanted Ryan Moore, so it meant Zac could ride my horse.”

Purton is looking forward to Sunday’s challenge and says he expects Massive Sovereign to be in the upper echelon of Hong Kong’s gallopers for years to come.

“I think the performance of [Massive Sovereign and Galaxy Patch in the Derby] shows us how good they are,” Purton said. “They’re going to be the future of Hong Kong racing going forward. This Sunday is a good test for him.”

While Massive Sovereign had to defy a wide berth from stall 10 in the Derby, Purton will be able to settle in a favourable position from gate two in Sunday’s clash. James McDonald and Romantic Warrior will jump from barrier 10.