It’s a race the likes of Collection and Akeed Mofeed have used as a springboard to BMW Hong Kong Derby success and Me Tsui Yu-sak hopes improving British import Tsar can catapult himself up the ratings in Sunday’s Class Two Daisy Handicap (1,800m).

The four-year-old sits on a mark of 82 and Tsui knows a big run is required to ensure his charge a spot in Hong Kong’s most prestigious race on March 21.

“I want to finish in the first two to up his rating, at the moment his rating is not enough to get into the Derby,” Tsui said. “He will at least need to be top two, maybe he will need to win.”

Tsar has had a bumpy start to life in Hong Kong after three wins from five starts under the care of champion British trainer John Gosden, finishing last first-up in Class Two in January before being scratched from the Classic Mile.

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The son of Kingman became fractious in the barriers and got his hind leg caught over the back gates, forcing Tsui to come up with a plan B for his charge.

After a solid trial on February 16, Tsar tackled the extended Happy Valley mile late last month, building nicely into the race to finish second after going back to last from the outside alley.

“Last week at the Valley there was improvement but behind the gates he was still very nervous and he kicked the fence again,” Tsui said. “But he has calmed down a little bit in recent weeks, I’m looking forward to seeing how he goes on Sunday.”

Tsar steps up to 1,800m for the first time in his career after winning three times at a mile pre-import but Tsui expects the horse to thrive despite the unknown.

“The 1,800m should be OK – I have some expectation and we will see how much he improves,” Tsui said, adding that should everything go to plan on Sunday, he is confident the 2,000m of the Derby will also be suitable.

“Even in the Derby over 2,000m – how many horses are 2,000m horses? Less than 50 per cent, I think. Maybe you can say 80 per cent are milers or 1,800m horses and they try to win on ability.”

Keith Yeung Ming-lun will take the ride on Tsar in a race featuring a string of Derby hopefuls, with Berlin Tango, Conqueror, Celestial Power, Maximus, Sea Of Life and Super Football the other runners holding entries.

Tsar has drawn nicely in gate five and carries the bottom weight of 113 pounds, sitting three pounds outside the handicap thanks to the presence of the 105-rated Savvy Nine.

Meanwhile, Tsui has opted to take a wait-and-see approach with his other Classic Series contender Arthur’s Kingdom, who sits right on the Derby cut-off mark with a rating of 85 after running 10th in the Classic Cup.

“I don’t think he will get in with his rating but it would have been too rushed to run him again, I don’t want to push him,” the veteran trainer said.