Francis Lui remains confident and positive of victory in the 2023/24 Hong Kong trainers’ championship as the veteran handler prepares to unleash a 10-strong team at Sha Tin’s season finale on Sunday (14 July) as Pierre Ng continues to lead the standings by one win with only 11 races left in the season.
Trailing 67-66, Lui will have runners in nine of Sunday’s 11 races, while Ng has nine entrants in seven races. As it currently stands, with Ng also slightly ahead on second and third placings, Lui effectively needs two more wins than his former assistant this weekend to clinch the trainers’ title for the first time.
With 11 minor placings and just one win across the past four meetings, Lui has repeatedly threatened to overhaul Ng, but he remains undaunted by the string of near misses and optimistic of overall success.
“It’s possible (winning the championship). Every race is important and anything can still happen,” he said. “Every race has a different situation – the draw, the pace.
“I’m feeling confident and positive.”
Lui’s squad this weekend is led by Call Me Glorious, Chancheng Glory, Packing Hermod, Packing Treadmill, Forever Glorious, Packing Angel, Happy Park, Steps Ahead, Holy Lake and Patch Of Theta.
Pierre Ng holds the upper hand in the battle for the trainers’ championship.
Ng’s arsenal is headed by veteran Duke Wai, I Can, newcomer Bits Superstar, Beauty Waves, Medic Elite, First Love, Fighting Machine, Prestige Always and Roman Crown.
Lui hopes Call Me Glorious can tilt the championship battle in his favour when the gelding bids for a third successive win in the Class 2 Joy And Fun Handicap (1200m).
To carry 119lb under Zac Purton, the three-year-old faces six rivals, including stablemate Packing Treadmill (135lb) and Ng’s Duke Wai (132lb) and Beauty Waves (118lb).
Call Me Glorious makes it two wins in a row.
“He (Call Me Glorious) keeps improving. I’m not sure whether he liked the (soft) ground last time, maybe he handled it and the rest couldn’t. He’s an up-and-coming horse,” Lui said.
“He still doesn’t know how to properly run and doesn’t know racing just yet. He just runs to give his best effort from the start.”
Purton, assured of a seventh Hong Kong jockeys’ championship, and Lui also combine with Chancheng Glory in the Class 1 Hong Kong Racehorse Owners Association Trophy Handicap (1600m).
“He’s OK and I think Class 1 is good for him – he’s not a Group horse yet. I think he could be (the one to beat),” Lui said.
Lui hopes Packing Hermod remains unbeaten when the Rubick gelding jumps from gate eight under Purton in the Class 3 Pingwu Spark Handicap (1200m).
“He’s also a good horse, but he’s only had one run and he’s a three-year-old who’s up in class. I think next season he’ll be a good horse,” Lui said before reviewing his stable’s chances on a pivotal day.
“They’ve all gone up in the ratings recently, so it might be hard for them. It all depends on the situations, their draw and importantly a bit of luck.
“I think Call Me Glorious is the best chance – it’s the strongest.”
Famed for his association with Golden Sixty, Lui has twice finished in the top three of the trainers’ championship. In 2019/20, he produced 63 winners to finish third to Ricky Yiu (67) and Tony Cruz (65).
Last season, Lui saddled a career-best 67 winners to finish runner-up to 12-time winner John Size (79) with Ng completing an excellent first season in 10th place with 41 winners.
Sunday’s (14 July) season finale at Sha Tin starts with the Class 5 Mr Award Handicap (1200m) at 4pm.
By Leo Schlink
