RACEDAY FOCUS: A fresh talent for Francis, Vincent is back and Manfred's magnificent training effort

Michael Cox takes a close look at Sunday's meeting at Sha Tin. 

Horse to Follow – R5 Hot Delight

Trainer Francis Lui Kin-wai could hardly believe his luck when big-spending owner Peter Law Kin-sang offered him the chance to train Hot Delight. He was even happier on Sunday after the expensive youngster impressed on debut.

Selected by renowned bloodstock agent John Foote, Hot Delight cost A$250,000 at the 2024 Magic Millions and justified that investment two years later with a convincing one-and-three-quarter-length Class 4 victory.

“I really like this horse,” Lui said after his stable reeled off three consecutive winners through the middle of the card. “I’ve known Peter a long time. He’s spent a lot on horses and had some success, and one day he just asked me, ‘Do you want to train a horse for me?’ Of course I said yes. He’s a nice-looking horse but he’s smart too, and we’ll take things step by step with him.”

Ride of the Day – Vincent Ho (Amazing Partners)

Vincent Ho Chak-yiu showed patience and confidence aboard Amazing Partners after finding himself wide but with cover, knowing the A Course was again favouring runners making ground through the middle.

Ho would also have been encouraged to see rival Zac Purton pocketed on the inside aboard second favourite Top Time, allowing him to hold his nerve approaching the straight.

He maintained his line, timed his move perfectly and closed the door on Purton, who was left searching for a run that never came until it was too late. “Vincent is riding with confidence again, but getting on good horses helps,” Francis Lui said. Ho, who spent seven months sidelined last year with neck and brain injuries, has rebounded strongly after a mid-season lull and is again a force in the jockeys’ championship. 

Training Performance of the Day – Manfred Man Ka-leung

Zac Purton was quick to laud Manfred Man Ka-leung after Patch Of Cosmo delivered a first-up win after a 315-day lay-off due to injury. 

Having his first start since March 9, 2025 after a tendon injury, Patch Of Cosmo carried top weight over 1600 metees to win in Class 3 and immediately book a place in the Hong Kong Classic Mile picture in two weeks’ time.

“Firstly it was a great training performance by Manfred to have ten months off and come back from a tendon injury,” Purton said. “First-up, Class 3, carrying top weight over 1600 meters — that isn’t easy to do.”