Francis Lui Kin-wai produced a training performance for the ages to win his second BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) when Australian import Cap Ferrat broke maiden status with a stunning victory on Sunday. Sent out a $26.7 chance after unlucky runs in the Classic Mile and Classic Cup (1,800m), Cap Ferrat lived up to his pre-import form by holding on late to narrowly beat My Wish in a pulsating finish.
After a cosy run in the box seat under Craig Williams, Cap Ferrat capitalised on an inside run to snatch the lead at the 150m and prevail by a short head from the fast-finishing My Wish. “I still feel very excited,” said Lui after adding the triumph to his first Derby success with champion galloper Golden Sixty in 2020. HISTORY AT SHA TIN! 👏👏 @CWilliamsJockey wins the 148th @BMW Hong Kong Derby aboard Cap Ferrat for trainer Francis Lui over a fast-closing My Wish.
.. #4YOSeries | #LoveRacing | #HKracing pic.
twitter.com/OHHfz0JKlE “I watched [the replay] three times and then I got confident he won the race.” Cap Ferrat was the first Hong Kong maiden to win the Derby in 35 years – Reliable Source landed his first victory in the city in the prestigious race in 1990 – while it’s unclear if a maiden has ever won the feature.
The son of Snitzel arrived in Hong Kong as one of Australia’s highest-profile maidens, having been placed in four stakes races including the Group One Spring Champion Stakes (2,000m) and Group One Rosehill Guineas (2,000m). His move to Lui started.
