Pierre Ng aims to join famous father with Chairman’s Sprint win
Pierre Ng will chase a notable piece of history when Duke Wai lines up in the HK$20 million Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) at Sha Tin.
The son of former trainer Peter Ng, Pierre is looking to etch his name on the race’s honour roll which features five wins to his father from two horses, Mystic (1985 & 1986) and Quicken Away (1989-1991), with the latter’s trio of wins a record in the race.
“Quicken Away was a special horse, he was a sprinter, miler and even over 1800 metres. He was quite amazing,” Ng said. “Hopefully one day, hopefully next week is that day, but I don’t think it will be that soon. Hopefully in the future we get more and more runners in the race and that gives us more chances to get it.”
Veteran galloper Duke Wai will represent Ng in his quest for Chairman’s Sprint Prize glory on FWD Champions Day, fresh following a campaign to Dubai where he finished a slashing fifth in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint (1200m) over the straight course at Meydan.
“Since returning from Dubai, he has recovered very well from that trip. I was very happy with him,” Ng said. “We’re planning for that (Chairman’s Sprint Prize) and it’ll probably be his last run for the season as well.”
Ng was granted a licence to train in Hong Kong ahead of this season, while his well-known father led a highly successful stable for over 30 years and accumulated a trio of Horse of the Year titles with Mystic (1984/85) and Quicken Away (1988/89 & 1989/90).
Duke Wai has placed at Group 2 and Group 3 level this season. He has nine wins from 43 starts and HK$18.79 million in earnings.
“He has definitely settled back in Hong Kong well, I have faith in him and that he has a little bit more improvement following this trip so that he’ll be a little bit more competitive in Hong Kong – hopefully he can get prize money again,” Ng said.
Hong Kong Champion Sprinter (2021/22) Wellington will attempt to match Quicken Away’s three wins in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize, while Lucky Sweynesse, Sight Success, Courier Wonder, Flaming Rib, Aguri, Cordyceps Six and Master Eight also feature.
“Hopefully Duke Wai maintains his form and keeps that (form from Dubai) in his mind and brings it on race day in Hong Kong,” Ng said.
Duke Wai was a winner one start prior to his Dubai challenge, prevailing in Class 1 over 1200m under handicap conditions on the turf at Sha Tin.
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