Siu family to have big representation at HK Classic Mile meeting
The Siu family will have double representation in the Hong Kong Classic Mile with the Tony Cruz-trained Super Chic set to take his place for Siu Pak Kwan’s son Edmond Siu.
And a couple of other potential Derby contenders will sport the family’s red and black silk variations on Sunday’s undercard — the Siu’s rank among Hong Kong’s most prominent owners but are without a win in the March showcase.
The family patriarch will be keeping a close eye on another of his BMW Hong Kong Derby prospects, the John Size-trained Dinozzo, bottom-weight in race seven. The Irish import will seek a second Hong Kong win at start five in the Class 2 Po Yan Handicap (1800m).
Moreira partnered the 81-rated Dinozzoto to finish a close second over 2000m at the course last time and believes his mount has the potential to reach a higher level, but he’s not sure if it will be this start.
“His last run was pretty good – he was a bit green,” Moreira said.
“I didn’t expect that because he hadn’t had too many runs. He seems a very nice horse. John is probably targeting him at the Derby later on, and, with a horse that could be targeted there, you’d think he would be able to win in the class he’s in. I think he’s capable of winning.
“Coming back to 1800 metres is neither positive nor negative. He’s in the picking up process, he seems like he has class and I don’t think the distance will be a problem.”
Another of Siu’s sons, Martin Siu, will look to the Cruz-trained Time Warp. The British import is slated to line up in race 10, the Class 3 Waterloo Handicap (1400m), his first start since being purchased out of Sir Mark Prescott’s stable.
The Archipenko gelding won his last five starts in Europe, notably a pair of Listed contests in France, and has looked a smart type in four Sha Tin barrier trials under Silvestre de Sousa.
“He’s a nice horse and he feels good,” de Sousa said.
“His best trial was the last one, I was very happy with that. He’s ready to run – I can’t say that he’s ready enough to win first-up, but he’s ready to run.
“I like him a lot. I think it will take him a couple of races to get to his best but the way he is at the moment he will run well and he will improve for it. He could be a Derby contender but he hasn’t had the chance to prove that much to me yet.”
The 10-race card kicks off at 1pm with the Class 4 Dundas Handicap (1000m). The Hong Kong Classic Mile is race nine, start time 5.10pm.
The Hong Kong Classic Mile is the first leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series, which continues with the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) on 19 February and climaxes with the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on March 19.