Lui cautious but upbeat on Chui Hung step-up
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 4 hours ago5 MIN
Summary
Trainer Lui Hong-ming (廖康銘) said he is hopeful Chui Hung (翠紅) can improve over 1,200 metres in Sunday’s Group 2 Premier Bowl handicap at Sha Tin, although he believes Bundle Award (精算暴雪) sets a high standard in the race. The HK$5.35 million contest over 1,200 metres has drawn nine runners, including defending winner Helios Express (好友心得) and three Group 3 winners in Colourful King (顏色之皇), Packing Hermod (合夥奔馳) and Beauty Eternal (美麗第一). Chui Hung carries 127 pounds after finishing fifth in the National Day Cup on 1 October, one place behind Bundle Award, who was fourth on his seasonal return. Lui also reported satisfaction with Wishful Thinker’s recovery from Monday’s Sha Tin Trophy and mapped out further targets in November and December
Key Points
- Sunday’s Premier Bowl at Sha Tin is a Group 2 1,200-metre handicap worth HK$5.35 million, with nine horses declared to run
- Chui Hung, a five-year-old rated 105, carries 127 pounds and has won six times in Hong Kong, including three Class 2 victories last season
- Lui said Chui Hung progressed well after his comeback, worked pleasingly on Tuesday, and should be better suited by 1,200 metres than 1,000 metres
- Bundle Award is the top-rated runner on 113 and carries 135 pounds, after twice placing behind Ka Ying Rising in Group 1 sprints last season
- Wishful Thinker recovered well from finishing third in Monday’s Sha Tin Trophy and is being aimed at the Jockey Club Mile on 22 November and Hong Kong Mile on 13 December
Why It Matters
The Premier Bowl is shaping as an early-season test of Hong Kong’s sprint hierarchy, with established top-level form meeting horses still trying to prove themselves at this grade. For Lui’s stable, the race is also a measure of whether Chui Hung can bridge the gap from strong Class 2 form to elite handicap company, while Wishful Thinker’s campaign points toward the city’s flagship international meeting in December