A pivotal double with two emerging talents at Sha Tin on Saturday (15 June) has catapulted Francis Lui into the 2023/24 Hong Kong trainers’ championship lead, setting the scene for an intense battle with long-time leader Pierre Ng across the final seven meetings of the season.
Ng, who had led the standings since 5 November, 2023, now trails Lui 63-62 after his former mentor struck with Karate Express and Call Me Glorious on a day of fluctuating fortunes as the championship lead changed hands three times after the pair started the meeting with 61 wins each.
Karate Express gave Lui the ascendency with victory in the Yan Chau Tong Plate (1000m) for Griffins before Ng reclaimed the lead with Captain Win, who scored his first win since November, 2021 with success in the first section of the Class 4 Kau Sai Chau Handicap (1200m).
The see-sawing tussle continued when Lui edged ahead with Call Me Glorious’ runaway victory in the Class 3 Clear Water Bay Handicap (1200m) under Zac Purton.
“It’s only one win and there are still plenty of races to go. Hopefully we can have some more winners coming,” Lui said of the championship battle.
Ng was philosophical about the title, declaring: “I counted from our last 10 meetings, we had three winners and nine seconds, which is not too ideal. Luckily, we got a winner today. I think we’ll fight to the end and hopefully won’t be far off Francis. Maybe it will take until the last day to decide.”