Lui looks to close gap on leaders

Francis Lui went a long way to boosting his trainers' championship defence with a four-timer at Sha Tin on Sunday and the affable horseman takes a team of three to Happy Valley today as he aims to keep the ball rolling.

Lui's quartet sees him reach 16 wins from 144 runners across 27 of the 88 scheduled race meetings this term, with only five handlers currently ahead of him: Pierre Ng (23 wins), David Hayes (20), Mark Newnham (20), Danny Shum (19) and Caspar Fownes (18).

The 65-year-old - crowned Hong Kong Champion Trainer (2023/24) - won the first three races at Sha Tin with Happy Park, Packing Angel and Divano before star talent Packing Hermod posted a fourth win at only his fifth start in the last race.

"I'm very happy. Happy to win for the owners on Sunday," Lui said. "He (Packing Hermod) has potential. We're planning for the Four-Year-Old Classic Series with him."

Sired by Rubick, Packing Hermod sits on a career-high mark of 93 after winning his first race in Class 2 last weekend. The HK$52 million Four-Year-Old Classic Series comprises the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m), HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) and HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m).