PIERRE NG AND FRANCIS LUI’S DING-DONG CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLE ROLLS ON TO SHA TIN ON MONDAY

• Locked in a tight tussle for the trainers' title, both handlers boast big numbers on Reunification Raceday

Pierre Ng Pang-chi and Francis Lui Kin-wai have both loaded up with big teams at Sha Tin on Monday as their seesawing trainers' championship battle continues.

Under siege from Lui, Ng responded with a timely treble at the last Sha Tin meeting to reclaim an outright lead of two wins.

But 65-year-old Lui struck back with a race-to-race double courtesy of Packing Hermod and Copartner Prance at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, again drawing level with Ng with only five meetings left this season.

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In his second season training, 40-year-old Ng currently holds sway in the case of a tiebreaker by virtue of more minor placings this term.

While he boasts a squad of 10 runners on the 11-race card on Reunification Raceday, Ng will be relying on several first starters in the city as well as last-start winner Super Bonus to strengthen his title bid.

Ng will unveil the unbeaten Roman Crown in the Class Three Sportsmanship Handicap (1,200m), with the two-time Wolverhampton winner taking on a strong field headed by fellow unbeaten galloper, Bottomuptogether, and Lui's progressive galloper Divano.

Former Australian galloper Motoman, a Sandown winner from three starts pre-import, will make his Hong Kong debut in the Class Three CMA 90th Anniversary Cup (1,000m) but he also faces a tough task bumping into David Hall's in-form sprinter Ka Ying Victory, who bids for a third consecutive win.

Super Bonus' shot at back-to-back victories was dealt a blow when he drew barrier 13 in the Class Four Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup (1,200m). He is coming off a narrow win over Awesome Treasure at the course and distance.

Fortune Warrior, Medic Elite, Gangnam Star, debutant First Love, Mr Aladdin, last-start placegetter Fighting Machine and Quantum Patch round out Ng's team.

Lui appears to have several strong contenders from his 12 starters, including Superb Boy and Wonder Kit in the Class Two Hong Kong Reunification Cup (1,400m).

Superb Boy and Wonder Kit ran second and third, respectively, to Keefy last start.

Divano has claims in his bid for a third triumph at start four, while Lui's consistent galloper Second To None will again have claims in the final race, the Class Three Better Future Handicap (1,600m). The Astern gelding has notched two wins and finished in the top four in all seven starts this season.

Debutant Loving Vibes, Noble One, General Ace, Brave Star, Harold Win, Always Fluke and Euro Rocks will also represent Lui on Monday.

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This article originally appeared on the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), the leading news media reporting on China and Asia.

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2024-06-30T02:28:11Z dg43tfdfdgfd