Ho and Lui’s Golden run
Francis Lui has a strong hand to play in this season’s Four-Year-Old Classic Series with More Than This and Golden Sixty leading the pack and the man he has combined successfully with on 10 occasions this season, Vincent Ho, is riding high on a recent wave of success, notably his win aboard Lui’s Golden Sixty in Wednesday’s (1 January) Group 3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup Handicap (1400m).
“He’s definitely a good horse, he learned to relax which is our main goal for the Hong Kong Classic Mile – I’m happy with the way he is going,” Ho said, reflecting on the four-year-old’s fourth win this season.
Ho will partner another potential Classic Series aspirant this Sunday (5 January) when he pairs for the first time with the Frankie Lor-trained Reliable Team (117lb) in the Class 2 Caroline Hill Handicap (1800m).
His eight rides on the day also includes a reunion with Elite Patch (130lb) in the Class 3 Hoi Ping Handicap (1200m, dirt).
Ho is looking to guide Elite Patch to his third consecutive win on the dirt and the 29-year-old has been pleased with the galloper.
“He feels good in his trackwork and in a grass gallop yesterday,” Ho said. “It was tough for him last time because of the fast pace and I got caught out three-wide, I tried to slot in but there were horses there, but he still won quite impressively – so I think he’s still improving.”
Ho also reunites with last-start victor Star Of Yuen Long (133lb) in the Class 3 Po Leung Kuk Cup Handicap (1400m).
“He’s a nice young horse, he needs to mature up a bit more and get a bit stronger then he’ll be even better and he’s a horse that can keep improving. Last time he was quite impressive because it was a fast pace but he was still strong to the line,” Ho said of the Manfred Man-trained gelding.