PIERRE NG TURNS TO BEAUTY WAVES TO SNAP WINLESS STREAK AT HAPPY VALLEY AND ADD TO CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD

• Talented sprinter headlines premiership-leading handler's pursuit of first city circuit win since April 24

Beauty Waves will spearhead Pierre Ng Pang-chi's bid to extend his trainers' championship lead and end a frustrating drought at Happy Valley when he steps out on Thursday night.

Locked in an exciting battle with Francis Lui Kin-wai, Ng moved to a 67-65 lead with only four meetings left this season after notching a double at Sha Tin on Monday.

While Sha Tin has been a happy hunting ground for the second-season handler in recent weeks, Ng hasn't had a winner at the Valley since Beauty Waves and I Can struck on April 24.

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In that streak the 40-year-old has registered 12 placegetters - eight of which finished second.

Armed with a team of eight runners at the city circuit's penultimate meeting of the season, Ng is confident Beauty Waves can elevate to Class Two level for the first time in the Briar Handicap (1,000m).

The former Irish sprinter won his first two starts since a transfer to Ng's stable over 1,000m at the Valley, before a close second to Midori Glory under top weight of 135 pounds last start.

"He will definitely have the advantage of a light weight in Class Two," Ng said of Beauty Waves dropping 17 pounds on his last start.

"He was a bit unlucky last start carrying a heavy weight. We've got a nice draw [barrier two] and hopefully he can win one more for [owners] Mr Kwok and his family."

With Beauty Waves dropping significantly in weight, Karis Teetan picked up the ride from Zac Purton, who is also serving a one-meeting suspension for careless riding.

"Karis trialled him last Tuesday, he trialled well and hopefully he can find us another win," Ng said.

In the strongest race on the Valley card, Beauty Waves will face only six rivals - Majestic Knight, Nervous Witness, Whizz Kid, Copartner Ambition, Baby Crystal and Ng's Humble Star.

After notching back-to-back wins at the course and distance last November, Humble Star was struck down by a tendon injury and has struggled to regain form since returning.

"He has just been running fair. He hasn't picked up his form yet, but I think he might be better next season," Ng said.

Andrea Atzeni will ride Humble Star, who has drawn barrier four.

Ng is hopeful Aestheticism can break through for his first Valley triumph in the Class Three Cheong Ming Handicap (1,650m), with an improved draw in gate four aiding his cause.

A three-time Sha Tin winner this campaign, Aestheticism produced his best result at his fifth run at the city circuit when a neck second to Red Hare King last start.

The Derryn gelding gets a four-pound swing on Red Hare King, who also has to overcome a wide draw in barrier 11.

"Finally he ran well at Happy Valley and in Class Three [last start]," Ng said.

"Hopefully from the draw he can be in a little bit more of a forward position, so he can finish one better."

Ng will run Aurora Lady at Happy Valley for the first time in the first section of the Class Four Kwai Fong Handicap (1,200m), but the three-year-old's claims were dealt a blow when he drew gate 10.

In his two starts down the 1,000m straight at Sha Tin, Aurora Lady ran second to the unbeaten Bottomuptogether on debut before battling from barrier one when seventh to Fast Network.

"It's his first time at Happy Valley, but he's got ability there," Ng said.

"He was good [on debut] and then he had barrier one. He found it too sharp for him, so we've just switched to 1,200 and hopefully we can get a result.

"He trialled really well last week. He's three turning four and I hope he can show something and he'll be a much better horse next season."

Tattenham, Spicy Spangle, Dragon Star and Healthy Healthy are Ng's other runners on Thursday night.

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This article originally appeared on the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), the leading news media reporting on China and Asia.

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2024-07-02T06:06:52Z dg43tfdfdgfd