Sunday at Sha Tin Racecourse promises theatre of the highest order. Much of the chatter surrounds Ka Ying Rising’s pursuit of history, but Francis Lui isn’t turning up to make up the numbers. In-form and methodical as ever, he arrives with a three-horse hand and a genuine belief that the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup could finally fall his way.
Lui is no stranger to the winner’s circle. As a former champion trainer and the man behind the legendary Golden Sixty, his CV is decorated with 11 Group 1 titles. However, the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup remains a glaring omission from his trophy cabinet. On Sunday, he sends out Patch Of Theta, Packing Hermod, and Copartner Prance to bridge that gap.
The Contenders for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup
Among Lui’s triple threat, Patch Of Theta appears the most seasoned over the specific seven-furlong trip. A graduate of the Hong Kong International Sale, the gelding has already notched six wins over the 1400m course. “This horse is good; he always holds his condition,” Lui remarked, noting that while the mile is within reach, 1400m remains his “best distance.” With Maxime Guyon in the irons from gate six, he is perfectly positioned to strike.
Packing Hermod offers a different kind of intrigue. Stepping up to Group 1 company for the first time, the son of Rubick carries a strong profile of three wins and two podium finishes from eight starts at the distance. Jockey Harry Bentley, who took the reins for a final gallop on Thursday, isn’t deterred by an outside draw in barrier eight. “The pace is going to be pretty solid,” Bentley observed. “I’d like to think I can just get in somewhere in the midfield… he’s tried and tested at the distance.”
Completing the trio is Copartner Prance, ridden by James Orman. Despite being the outsider of the three, his recent second-place finishes in the Celebration Cup and the Sha Tin Trophy suggest he is at the peak of his powers.
Standing in the Way of History
The task is monumental. To win the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup, Lui’s runners must dethrone a horse that has forgotten how to lose. Ka Ying Rising isn’t just seeking a win; he is seeking immortality by breaking the record for consecutive victories in Hong Kong.
While the feature race takes center stage at 4:35 pm as Race 8, the broader racing landscape remains busy. Friday morning provided a glimpse of the future as Voyage Bubble and Romantic Warrior engaged in a high-class barrier trial over 1600m, preparing for their own clash in next month’s Hong Kong Gold Cup.
For Lui, Sunday isn’t about the records of others. It is about a tactical maneuver to finally secure a Group 1 trophy that has long eluded him. Whether the “Prance,” the “Theta,” or the “Hermod” can spoil the party remains the weekend’s most tantalizing question.
The 11-race card kicks off at 1:00 pm with the Daffodil Handicap.
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