Wary and respectful of world-class opposition, Francis Lui carries a characteristically understated sense of confidence into the Gr.1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) with Golden Sixty at Sha Tin on Sunday.
The New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale graduate, who did his early education in Matamata under trainer Graham Richardson, is only the fourth horse to win 10 consecutive races in Hong Kong’s professional era – a feat achieved by Silent Witness, Co-Tack and Sunday’s adversary Beauty Generation.
Lui believes Golden Sixty is ideally placed to continue his streak against opposition which includes last year’s winner Admire Mars and Aidan O’Brien’s Order Of Australia.
“I’m confident on the horse but the overseas horses – their form is good. The Japanese horse (Admire Mars) won it last year. The Irish horse (Order Of Australia) won the Breeders’ Cup, he has strong form,” he said.
“To me and my stable team, it’s another record if he can win.
“I’m very happy with his trackwork because he was quite relaxed. He’s more relaxed with another horse. If he goes by himself, he’s keen in the early part but today he followed the other horse.
“Everything is ready.”
