Cap Ferrat wins Hong Kong Derby as maiden outsider

Francis Lui Kin-wai celebrated his second win in the BMW Hong Kong Derby on Sunday, as his horse Cap Ferrat pulled off an impressive upset. The horse, previously a maiden, won the prestigious race with a thrilling finish against My Wish. Cap Ferrat was sent out as a 26.7-to-1 long shot after struggling in earlier races, but he proved his worth by taking the lead in the final moments. Lui expressed his excitement after the race, recalling his first Derby win in 2020 with champion horse Golden Sixty. Cap Ferrat's victory is notable as he became the first Hong Kong maiden to win the Derby in 35 years, with the last being Reliable Source in 1990. Cap Ferrat had previously shown promise in Australia, finishing highly in top races before moving to Hong Kong. Craig Williams rode Cap Ferrat to victory and utilized a good inside position to secure the win. Lui noted that the horse had faced challenging runs in his previous races, which made this win particularly satisfying. Lui's other horse, Packing Angel, finished in third place, while the favorite, Rubylot, could only manage fifth. The win highlights a remarkable period of success for Lui, who has improved significantly in recent years. He has gained recognition after a long career of struggling lower in the rankings. Along with Cap Ferrat's win, Lui achieved a treble at Sha Tin, with victories from his other horses as well. Looking ahead, he believes there is still more potential for his young horses to grow and succeed further.