Francis Lui aims to extend Sha Tin turf lead with strong Saturday team

No trainer has prepared more Sha Tin turf winners than Francis Lui Kin-wai this season, and the veteran handler can add to that haul with an ominous team set for Saturday’s twilight meeting.

While a second championship might be out of Lui’s reach, sitting 11 wins behind title leader Caspar Fownes with nine meetings remaining, the 67-year-old looks well placed to add to his tally of 37 victories on the Sha Tin turf this campaign.

His team includes the in-form Packing Angel in the feature Class Two Peacock Handicap (1,600m), a pair of last-start winners in Superb Spirit and Meaningful Dragon and progressive duo Turquoise Velocity and Baby Sakura.

A close third in last year’s Hong Kong Derby (2,000m), Packing Angel has regained top form with a dominant Happy Valley win two starts ago and a fast-finishing fourth last start.

Zac Purton, who was aboard the son of Shocking in three straight Sha Tin victories last season, jumps back on for Saturday’s race.

“I think the mile suits him. He’s in good form. He ran well at Happy Valley, but I think Sha Tin is no problem,” Lui said.

Packing Angel bolted in by a length and three-quarters over the city circuit’s extended mile before finishing strongly from near last for fourth, beaten a length behind Silvery Breeze over 1,800m last start.

The five-year-old has drawn gate five in a competitive race featuring the likes of Max Que, Mighty Masts, Soleil Fighter and Stunning Peach.

Superb Spirit will bid for back-to-back wins in the Class Four Asner Handicap (1,200m) after improving on a debut fourth to comfortably account for Lucrative Eight last start.

While the Zousain three-year-old looks to have untapped potential, Lui has one major reservation for Saturday’s assignment.

“It’s hard to say how he will go with top weight,” Lui said.

Superb Spirit rises 8lb to carry 135lb. He has drawn well in gate two with Purton retaining the ride.

The injury-plagued Meaningful Dragon made a successful return to score narrowly first up, and he will bid to repeat the dose in the second section of the Class Four Swan Handicap (1,400m).

“I think second run back will be no problem. He’s in good form,” Lui said.

Turquoise Velocity shapes as one of Lui’s more intriguing runners, with the four-time winner making his dirt debut in the Class Three Snipe Handicap (1,200m).

The son of Zoustar has been a revelation for Lui in his first campaign, but his rating spiking from 52 to 81 prompted Lui to try him on the all-weather.

“First time on the dirt, I’m not sure. He has trialled well on it but a race is different,” Lui said.

“We have to try the dirt because with his rating, there aren’t many choices.”

Baby Sakura is another promising type who has started his career strongly for Lui, notching two wins and as many thirds from five starts.

The three-year-old tackles the Class Three Owl Handicap (1,400m) fresh from a last-start fourth to The Red Hare.

“I think he’s also OK. He won [two starts ago] on soft ground, but I don’t know if that suited him more than good ground. His rating is getting up a bit,” Lui said.

Lui is banking on Nichola Yuen Hang-yiu’s 10lb claim and a drop in grade working the oracle for Steps Ahead in the Class Three Spoonbill Handicap (1,600m).

“I think his rating is too high at the moment, but I hope the claim will help,” Lui said of the Written By gelding, who has recorded two wins and two seconds at Class Three level.

Chancheng Sparkle, Dragon Generation, Call Me Sparkle and Topspin King are Lui’s other Sha Tin runners.