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 (18 February) 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.