Michael Cox
As the reality that he had won the BMW Hong Kong Derby sunk in, trainer Francis Lui Kin-wai was humble enough to admit that he had plenty of pre-race doubts that Cap Ferrat would choose the day to break through for his first-ever victory.
"I can't say I was confident," was Lui's honest response at the post-race press conference when he was asked what his expectations were before Cap Ferrat broke his maiden at his 17th lifetime start.
"I wasn't confident but I knew he was a very good horse. The last two runs, he'd had a bad draw so a turnaround wasn't a surprise."
Cap Ferrat had withstood a determined late charge by the diminutive Classic Mile winner My Wish, who had settled last in the run from a wide gate for jockey Luke Ferraris and sprinted home in a manner that indicated he will be a future star for trainer Mark Newnham.
A slow pace set by leader Lo Rider on a track that was firm and running fast - Lui's horse Packing Hermod had equaled a track record earlier in the day - hindered the chances of the backmarkers, adding merit to My Wish's effort, but played into the hands of Craig Williams and Cap Ferrat, who was able to hug the rail throughout from a low barrier.
There was still an agonizing wait after the race as judges confirmed the result but at least on this Lui was confident, after he had seen some slow-motion replays.
"I watched [the race] on the TV, I had to watch the replay a few times but once I'd seen it again I was confident he had won," Lui said.
Lui, who won the 2020 Derby with his all-time great Golden Sixty, also trained third-placegetter Packing Angel.
Williams was based in Hong Kong full-time for a successful three-season stint in the early 2000s and had ridden some future stars in the Derby previously including 2006 Hong Kong Mile winner The Duke, who was ninth in 2004, and subsequent horse of the year Military Attack to sixth in 2012 - but his best result had been second aboard Momentum in 2001.
"What a horse, to come here and win your first race in a race of this caliber," Williams said of Cap Ferrat.
"When I first came to ride here many years ago, it was always the race I wanted to win. A few weeks ago, I got a call from Francis, he was at the Sydney yearling sales. He asked me if I wanted to ride Cap Ferrat, who I'd ridden in Australia.
"I always liked the horse, he had good 2,000 meters form and I was happy to come over and ride."
Cap Ferrat was disappointing in both of the Derby lead-up runs but Williams had been bullish about his chances despite finishing ninth aboard the horse last time out in the Classic Cup.
"I said to Francis after I rode him in the Classic Cup, 'if you get him right, he can perform'.
"That's why he is such a great trainer, he did everything right and I was just in the right spot to get the victory today."
michael.cox@singtaonewscorp.com
Jockey Craig Williams is 'just in the right spot to get the victory' aboard Cap Ferrat after trainer Francis Lui, left, 'did everything right' to get the horse to perform at the Derby . SING TAO
