Class 2 return for Aurora Lady as Pierre Ng eyes more success at Happy Valley

By Declan Schuster

Pierre Ng has made a flying start with 12 wins from the first 12 fixtures, and the trainer is aiming to keep his momentum flowing when Aurora Lady (115lb) contests Wednesday’s (21 October) competitive HK$2.84 million Class 2 LONGINES Cup Handicap (1000m).

Ng leads the 2026/27 trainers’ championship and saddles eight runners at Happy Valley, headed by quality sprinter Aurora Lady. The four-time city track winner resumed with a close fourth on 7 October in his first appearance since November 2025 due to setbacks.

The 43-year-old Ng, who is closing in on the 200-win mark in Hong Kong, has been pleased with the six-year-old gelding’s preparation.

“He was first-up after injury and coming back from a long spell. It was a very brave run with top-weight (135lb in Class 3). This time, we’re carrying the lightest weight and running over 1000 (metres); I think he will have a better chance,” Ng said.

“He had screws put into both front fetlocks. He’s feeling well and he pulled up well after last start. He likes the Valley and, hopefully, he can produce another good performance – we only lost by less than a length last start.”

Keith Yeung rides Aurora Lady against Bottomuptogether (135lb), Victory Sky (121lb), Superb Capitalist (119lb), Horsepower (118lb), Sight Hermoso (117lb), Brave Star (116lb), Love Together (115lb), Glowing Praises (115lb) and Candlelight Dinner (115lb).

A renowned fast starter, Ng trained 11 wins from the first 11 fixtures in 2023/24 – a campaign in which he finished second to former boss Francis Lui in a nail-biting conclusion to the championship, with Lui prevailing by one win in the season’s final race.

“I’m over the moon with the start. Hopefully, we can continue on with the numbers we have and get more winners,” Ng said. “The second half of the season will be a test, but we have a good number of new horses coming in.”

David Eustace and Manfred Man each sit on 10 wins to trail Ng, who will also saddle Master Champion (134lb) in the Class 4 Speedy Handicap (1000m) alongside stablemate Synergy In Action (125lb).

Apprentice Nichola Yuen, who reduces Master Champion’s impost to 127lb with her seven-pound claim, has also made an eye-catching start to the season with 10 wins. She was in the plate for the 58-rated gelding’s third placing on 7 October at winning odds of 70/1.

“We tried 1200 (metres) before and it didn’t really work out that well,” Ng said. “We’re going to 1000 again – it’s suitable for him, especially with a strong pace. Hopefully, he jumps well and we can settle somewhere behind the pace or midfield and dash home.”

I Can (117lb), who pairs with in-form Vincent Ho, closes out Ng’s representation at Happy Valley in the Class 3 Songs Of Victory Handicap (1650m). I Can races for the same connections as I Excelle, a winner on Monday (19 October) for Ng and Ho.

“We’ve given him (I Can) three trials as well as a longer time to develop this time,” Ng said. “He picked up in the trial really well and he’s picked up his form, too.”

I Can missed by a short head first-up last season over tomorrow’s course and distance, while Ho has ridden five winners from the past four race meetings. Ng also saddles Refusetobeenglish (135lb), Jumbo Steps (126lb), Luck Is Back (122lb) and Healthy Healthy (135lb).