Yiu prepares Simply Maverick for HK Derby

Having savoured the ultimate BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) experience with stable star Voyage Bubble last season, Ricky Yiu is bidding for successive Classic victories with emerging talent Simply Maverick.

With three wins from his past four starts – all over Happy Valley’s 1650m course – Simply Maverick returns to Sha Tin on Sunday when he will attempt to enhance his rating and Derby prospects in the Class 3 TVB Miss Hong Kong Pageant Handicap 1800m). “He (Simply Maverick) is an exciting horse – really exciting. He’s done well at Happy Valley and I think a big horse like him might be an even better horse at Sha Tin with the big, long straight. He’s improving all the time,” Yiu said. “We’re aiming for the Derby already – we’re going to run him in the Derby.”

To be ridden by Andrea Atzeni, Simply Maverick will start from barrier 11 against 10 rivals including fellow Hong Kong Derby nominees Moments In Time, Simple Hedge, Devildom and Enigma.

Rated 74, the Sebring gelding has made strong headway this season after starting the campaign on a mark of 51 for Yiu, who celebrated his maiden Derby triumph in 2023 when Alexis Badel piloted Voyage Bubble to a memorable victory after starting from barrier 14.

Voyage Bubble will contest the G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on 25 February as Yiu chases more elite success with the gelding before a potential tilt at the G1 Dubai Turf (1800m) at Meydan Racecourse on 30 March.

With 30 wins and 49 minor placings this season from 293 runners, Yiu hopes Good Luck Friend can strike in the Class 2 TVB Cup Handicap (1400m) under in-form Angus Chung after the gelding’s 10th on 12 February at Sha Tin behind Howdeepisyourlove.

“He pulled up really well. He’s a very nice horse and I wouldn’t be surprised if he can do well again at the end of the season,” Yiu said.

Benno Yung will bid to foil Yiu’s plans with Gummy Gummy, who jumps from barrier eight for Jerry Chau in the HK$2.84 million contest.

“I hope he can win, of course, but it’s a competitive race,” Yung said. “He’s in good form, a decent draw will help him a bit. There’s no dirt race there for him and he can handle the turf and the dirt. I think 1400m will be OK.”

With a pair of wins and five seconds from his past seven starts, Gummy Gummy has reached a career-high mark of 86.

Fresh from a Thursday double, Lyle Hewitson will continue his successful partnership with Francis Lui’s Yellowfin in the Class 3 TVB Midlife, Sing & Shine Handicap (1650m, dirt).

With three wins on the Australian-bred, Hewitson believes the gelding will be well suited again after a last-start third behind So We Joy over this course and distance on 24 January.

“I think he’s in the same vein of form that he’s been in recently and that’s all we can ask for – he’s ready to go again,” the South African said. – Hong Kong Jockey Club

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Diamond Winner every chance last start but still ran a good race into fourth. He gets another chance to break through here. Starship Eighty a proven performer at this level and always rates in the chances. Brother Pearl recent runs have been encouraging and can run well. Remains unplaced but is never far away in a finish and he could relish the extra distance. Copartner Era can bounce back a winner anytime in this class. General Winner had genuine excuses last start when badly held up at a crucial stage in the race. Good each-way chance at odds.

Race 2: Copartner Prance holding form with recent good trial and looks well placed to break through for a win. Chateauneuf well prepared for debut and is worth considering for Hayes and Purton. Drawn awkwardly in barrier 10 but has shown promise at the trials. Mas-sive Talent was an easy last start winner and should run well again. Great Spirit well prepared for debut and watch the betting. Teetan has done all the work with him and has come up with a good gate on debut. Robot Knight had excuses last start when racing wide on debut but wasn’t beaten far. He could improve second-up.

Race 3: Wide open race here. Round The Earth will win in this grade very soon and he trialled well for his return. Barrier 2 should ensure the right run. Celtic Times go on solid previous efforts where form looked good. Will need an ounce of luck from out wide but he is itching to break through. Amazing Run faded late last start on his first start in Class 4, chance to improve under right race shape. Travel Golf remains a maiden galloper but clearly gets a chance to win here. Compassion Spirit last run was better than it reads as he only faded late in a fast run race and do not dismiss.

Race 4: James Tak every chance last start when beaten as the odds-on favourite but still ran a good race into third. Gets a better jockey in the saddle here and has drawn well low as he rises to 1200m. Speedy Fortune has been knocking on the door and win won’t sur- prise anyone. Purton takes over the ride and he can go close. Gimme Five has trialled well for debut and should be rated a chance. Lucky Fionn having third start and may improve. Nishikado eased early before going on to make late ground. Well rated now and can surprise at the bottom of Class 4.

Race 5: Mission Bravo last start placing was full of merit after he raced with excuses from barrier 13, nice effort and he can bounce back here but in a wide-open contest. Blissful Star well supported last start and won accordingly. He should receive favours again from the low draw. Viva Hunter good performance when storming home for third place last start when returning to Class 4. G Liner last start winner who retains good form and can run well again having drawn well low to suit his pattern. Californiatotality improving three-year-old whose form is good and is getting close to a win.

Race 6: Speedy Smartie has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon. This shapes as his best chance to bounce back for a win. Colourful Prince can lead in this race and be hard to run down with the right run. Cool Blue still a maiden galloper but gets his chance to win but the wide draw probably won’t help his chances. Affirm has been steadily improving and do not dismiss. Getting close to a win. Fast Buck go on the win two starts ago and give a chance here. Trialled well in between runs and is proven here.

Race 7: Victory Moments caught the eye last start running home powerfully when first-up over 1000m. The rise in distance suits and switching to the all-weather should also prove no problem. Smokey Bear has been knocking on the door and win won’t surprise anyone. Needs luck from out wide but form is good enough to win this. Baby Crystal well supported last start and won accordingly. He tries the all-weather for the first time but should handle it. Good Buddy go on solid previous efforts where form looked okay. Mark The Moment showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight.

Race 8: Global Harmony stood in the barriers and refused to race last start. Has been back to the trials on two occasions with blinkers added and jumped cleanly. If he shows up, he will prove hard to hold out. Drombeg Banner showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight in a fast run race. If left alone, he will be hard to catch. Atullibigeal was slow to begin last start but made good ground late. Gummy Gummy nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks a chance. Alacrity narrowly beaten last start and goes close here.

Race 9: Simple Hedge solid effort last start and must be rated chance here. He could be on the Derby path but would need to win convincingly hear to assert claims. Simply Maverick highly promising galloper who appears a great chance to win. Needs to bring his Happy Valley form to Sha Tin but the penny has well and truly dropped with him. Woodfire Bro looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. The Best Peach generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home. He can run a big race back into Class 3. Moments In Time go on solid previous efforts where form looked okay.

Race 10: Plenty of chances in the final contest. Adefill ultra-consistent galloper and who looks hard to hold out in a race where the speed looks genuine. Frantanck every chance last start but still ran a good race. Purton takes over the reins and he will get the gun run from gate 2. Yellowfin should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way. Leslie had genuine excuses last start when badly held up at a crucial stage in the race. So We Joy caused a surprise last start when winning at big odds.