By MIKE DILLON
Heng Sia has dreamed all his life of owning his own fruit and veges shop and the pull may be strong enough to stop him taking the $100,000 Appeal Of Zabeel cash prize.
The 43-year-old Malaysian said the temptation to grab the cash instead of the free service to Zabeel is huge.
"But I have always dreamed of having my own $300,000 business with good coolers and my own truck and taking the Zabeel service might just allow me to do that," he said yesterday, pondering his options after the PM Helen Clarke drew his name from 20 finalists at Tauranga races on Saturday.
"It is a big gamble to breed, much easier to take the $100,000, but my brother-in-law says go for it, it cost you nothing to win it."
Sia was 17 when he left Malaysia and spent 12 years working as a motor mechanic in England where he met his New Zealand wife.
The pair came to New Zealand on what they thought was a working holiday 15 years ago and forgot to leave.
"I have been working for wages all my life and this could be my chance of a lifetime."
Sia has until Friday to choose between the service and the $100,000, determined the third option of a $125,000 Mercedes-Benz vehicle is not for him.
"It's a hard decision, even though a nice problem to have."
Sia says he needs advice, but gets confused when he gets too much of it.
"I have no idea what sort of mare would suit being mated with Zabeel. The shop I work in is in Matamata which is right in the heart of the breeding world, so I expect I might get some offers of a broodmare this week, who knows.
"I guess I should speak to Sir Patrick Hogan about it."
Racing: Business dreams nearing fruition for Heng Sia
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