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South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Pierre Ng eyes Group Three glory in bid to kick-start stable's late-season push
Pierre Ng (left) has four runners across Saturday's pair of Group Three features at Sha Tin. Photos: Kenneth Chan Battling a quiet second half of the season, Pierre Ng Pang-chi hopes to kick-start a winning run to end his campaign when he launches a strong assault on Saturday's Group Three features at Sha Tin. Runner-up to Francis Lui Kin-wai in last year's dramatic finale to the trainers' championship, Ng picked up where he left off to lead the race for the title through to January this term. However, the 41-year-old has managed just 10 winners since the Lunar New Year meeting and slipped to eighth in the premiership standings with 38 winners. 'It has been a bit quiet,' Ng admitted. 'Even last year, after the Chinese New Year it was quite quiet as well. That's something I have to think about during the off-season. I gave many horses a break during the middle of the season and then I've brought them back, so I'm looking forward to June. 'I won't have a title run or anything like that, but we'll just keep on going and rolling and then wait for next season.' Ng will aim to replicate last year's haul of three wins from the final four Group races of the Hong Kong season when he starts Johannes Brahms and Ka Ying Generation in the Lion Rock Trophy (1,600m) and Mugen and Beauty Waves in the Sha Tin Vase (1,200m) on Saturday. Johannes Brahms could be Ng's strongest chance of the quartet, with the talented four-year-old lining up for the first time since his unlucky sixth to Cap Ferrat in the Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) in March. The Irish import also had excuses when a fast-finishing third to Rubylot in the Classic Cup (1,800m) and was an impressive Class Two winner over a mile in February. 'He's been running very well for us. We've given him three trials in between runs and we targeted this race before the Derby,' Ng said. Tough win, Johannes Brahms! 💪 Former Aidan O'Brien galloper grabs a second win in Hong Kong, taking the Class 2 Heung Yee Kuk Cup at Sha Tin, for @Atzenijockey and Pierre Ng... 🏆#LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 16, 2025 'With a light weight [115lbs] over a mile and Andrea [Atzeni] on, hopefully it works out for us. He's trialled well and he's fit and well.' Johannes Brahms has drawn barrier five in the field of 11, which is headlined by last-start Group One Champions Mile winner Red Lion. The John Size-trained Red Lion has to overcome the burden of top weight of 135lbs. Ka Ying Generation will race for the first time since bleeding from both nostrils in December's Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m). Matthew Poon Ming-fai will take the ride on Saturday. Johannes Brahms and Ka Ying Generation will progress to the Group Three Premier Plate (1,800m) on June 22. Ng won the Lion Rock Trophy-Premier Plate double with Galaxy Patch last year. Mugen will use the Sha Tin Vase as a warm-up to his Group Three Premier Cup (1,400m) title defence and Ng was buoyed by the sprinter's trial win at Conghua last week. 'He trialled really well the other day with Karis [Teetan on board]. He was very happy with him and said the horse is back in form,' Ng said of Mugen, who has shown indifferent form since his failed trip to Japan for last September's Group One Sprinters Stakes (1,200m). 'But Karis won't be riding him. He's riding Victor The Winner and Andrea is riding Mugen. With the light weight [115lbs] over 1,200m, I think he'll get prize money and hopefully he runs well. I know it's a bit sharp for him, but he's fresh enough and then we'll target the race we won with him last year.' Angus Chung Yik-lai will ride Beauty Waves, who has mostly raced at the top level behind superstar Ka Ying Rising since winning October's Group Three National Day Cup (1,000m). 'He's been a bit disappointing his last few runs, but he's been running against top horses and now drops back into Group Three, which he's won at before,' Ng said. 'We tried to switch him off his last couple of races but it didn't really work, so this race we'll just let him roll and with the light weight [115lbs], hopefully he's tough enough to stay on.'
Zawya
09-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
G2E Asia and Asian IR Expo Open Today, 100 Exclusive Product Launches on Display
HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 9 May 2025 - G2E Asia and Asian IR Expo, the leading marketplace for the gaming, entertainment and integrated resorts sectors, officially opens today at The Venetian Macao, with more than 10,000 industry professionals from 80 countries and regions expected to attend. Running from May 7-9, the exhibition spans over 30,000 sqm, showcasing over 150 exhibitors and featuring cutting-edge products and technologies that encompass the full spectrum of the entertainment and travel industries. GRAND OPENING CEREMONY OFFICIATED BY KEY LOCAL INDUSTRY FIGURES The joint event officially commenced with a grand opening ceremony officiated by key figures from the local industry, highlighting the event's importance as the key platform and reinforcing the region's commitment to industry growth and cross-border collaboration. G2E ASIA CONFERENCE BEGINS WITH DISTINGUISHED KEYNOTE AND POWERHOUSE SPEAKER LINEUP Kicking off on May 7-9 alongside the exhibition, the G2E Asia Conference opened with a compelling program and a strong lineup of industry leaders. May 7 featured Francis Lui, Chairman of Galaxy Entertainment Group, delivering the opening keynote on the evolving entertainment landscape and Ed Bowers, President of Global Development of MGM Resorts International, presenting the afternoon keynote on gaming and market transformation. Centered around the Asian Market Forum, the day also welcomed notable speakers including Praveen Choudhary, Managing Director of Morgan Stanley Asia Limited; Fredric E. Gushin, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Spectrum Gaming Group; and Niall Murray, Chairman of Murray International (Macau) Co. Ltd., setting the stage for two more days of strategic insights and future-focused discussions. 100 EXCLUSIVE PRODUCTS DEBUT ACROSS SHOW FLOOR Among the showcased products and solutions, 100 exclusive launches are making their debut in Asia for the first time. From established brands to rising stars, the launches span a diverse range of functions within the gaming and integrated resorts sectors, underscoring the limitless potential for innovation and growth within the industries. MAY 8 EVENT HIGHLIGHTS G2E Asia and Asian IR Expo continues May 8 with a full lineup of activities, including: The G2E Asia Conference running until May 9, addressing key topics including Technology and Innovations for Gaming; the 4 th Asia Pacific Responsible Gaming Forum; and IAGA Best Practices Institute. Speakers include Jerry Chan, Senior Vice President of Electronic Gaming & Special Projects of Okada Manila; Guojing Su, President and Professor of Asian Responsible Gaming Alliance; and Hikaru Oguchi, Partner of Nishimura & Asahi. The final day of the Asian IR Summit, offering in-depth discussions on Sportainment and New Era of Entertainment. Speakers include Kevin Benning, Senior Vice President and Studio City General Manager, Melco Resorts & Entertainment; Jeffrey Jiang, EVP- Entertainment Services, Galaxy Entertainment Group; Michael Jensen, Senior Vice President of Strategic Optimization of Wynn Macau and Wynn Palace; Jeremy Walker, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Event Services, Galaxy Entertainment Group; Raymond Lo, Senior Vice President, Head of Global Marketing and General Manager of Altira Macau and Mocha Clubs, Melco Resorts & Entertainment; David Baxley, Vice President of Regional Entertainment, Sands China Ltd. An afternoon of expert-led sessions on smart hospitality at the Tech Talk, located within the exhibition. An afternoon exploring table games technology at the Gaming Innovation Forum, also within the exhibition. Exclusive networking cocktail events designed for table games and marketing professionals. The G2E Asia After Party at Para Club Macau, City of Dreams, with tickets available for purchase onsite at the event. To learn more about G2E Asia, visit To learn more about Asian IR Expo, visit Hashtag: #G2EAsiaandAsianIRExpo The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. G2E & IR
South China Morning Post
09-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Lyle Hewitson hoping for an awesome foursome on improving Invincible Shield at Sha Tin
The South African jockey will hop aboard the progressive galloper for the first time on Saturday Lyle Hewitson is hoping Invincible Shield can continue his rapid rise up the ratings and notch a brilliant four-timer in the Class Two Pok Fu Lam Reservoir Road Handicap (1,200m) at Sha Tin on Saturday. Francis Lui Kin-wai's galloper was a well-beaten 11th on his local debut but has done nothing but improve since, securing his first win in the form of a gutsy Class Three win over course and distance back in February. He followed that up by powering away late in another course and distance Class Three one month later, but he really hit the headlines with a Class Two 1,400m win over a smart field on Champions Day. It will be the first time Hewitson has ridden the I Am Invincible colt in a race and he knows he has a real fight on his hands to keep his horse looking invincible against a stacked field. Invincible Shield is SERIOUSLY GOOD! 🫡 Francis Lui's burgeoning sprinter makes it a hat-trick of wins at Sha Tin and first in Class 2 with @CWilliamsJockey up...#FWDChampionsDay | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 27, 2025 'I was supposed to ride him the second time he ran but unfortunately I was suspended and then missed the boat, so I struggled to get on him,' said Hewitson. 'He impressed me from day one. I always thought he was a Class One horse and that there was scope for improvement later on as well. It's getting harder now that he's racked up the rating points and I'm probably getting on at the toughest stage. 'It's a nice race but he'll handle himself well and he will perform – hopefully he can continue his winning ways but it's getting more difficult. 'Every time, except first time out, he's had a perfect scenario with the race shape and draws. He does have a nice draw in five and it could work out for him again, but we're going to have to be on our game to win a race like this.' The 27-year-old currently sits on the 19-winner mark for the campaign but he has endured a further 35 second-place finishes and 29 thirds during what has been a frustrating season at times. Hewitson was also forced to bounce back from another setback after he hit the Sha Tin turf back in December and suffered a knee injury and heavy bruising to his quadriceps. It continued his wretched luck with injuries, with the South African previously fracturing his pelvis in a horror fall in the 2021 Group One Hong Kong Sprint (1,200m) early in his Hong Kong tenure.
South China Morning Post
08-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Dennis Yip backs Fast Network to overcome big weight and hot field in Class Two sprint
Veteran handler rates his exciting sprinter a strong chance despite lumping 135lbs against strong opposition on Saturday Dennis Yip Chor-hong is confident Fast Network can continue his hot form in Saturday's Class Two Pok Fu Lam Reservoir Road Handicap (1,200m) at Sha Tin as a potential tilt at the Group Three Sha Tin Vase (1,200m) looms for the exciting sprinter. A stunning four-length winner of the Class Two Barker Handicap (1,200m) last start, Fast Network headlines what is one of the best Class Two sprint fields assembled in Hong Kong in recent times. The Wrote four-year-old will lump top weight of 135lbs against the likes of the returning Wunderbar, five-time winner Bottomuptogether, the in-form Invincible Shield, Gorgeous Win and Gustosisimo. While Yip highlighted Francis Lui Kin-wai's Invincible Shield as a big threat chasing a fourth straight win, the veteran handler is pleased with Fast Network's progress since his demolition job on March 30. 'I checked the entries and Francis Lui's horse looks quite good, but I think my horse has very good form,' Yip said. Last out and first home! 👌 Exciting sprinter Fast Network crushes his rivals as 1.4 favourite with @HugeBowman for Dennis Yip at Sha Tin... #LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 30, 2025 'He enjoys it up at Conghua – he's very happy. He keeps improving.' Since finishing a strong fourth to My Wish in January's Classic Mile, Fast Network has relished dropping back in distance with a pair of impressive victories. He stormed home from last under star Kiwi jockey James McDonald to score in a Class Three 1,200m before his breathtaking display last start under Hugh Bowman, who retains the ride for Saturday's race. Despite jumping only fairly and settling at the rear of the seven-horse field, Fast Network unleashed an explosive turn of foot to comfortably account for Bottomuptogether, who boosted the form by winning his next start on the dirt. While Fast Network rises five pounds on that success, Yip is adamant he won't have an issue shouldering the big weight while he has the advantage of barrier one in the field of 12. 'He won with weight last time and two starts ago with James McDonald, he won with top weight [of 135lbs],' Yip said. Bottomuptogether only meets Fast Network two pounds better from their previous encounter, with Frankie Lor Fu-chuen's classy sprinter rising to a mark of 100 off the back of a dominant last-start triumph. Wunderbar's return will command plenty of attention given he holds the title as the only horse to have beaten the world's best sprinter, Ka Ying Rising. John Size's quality galloper hasn't risen to the same heights as Ka Ying Rising since beating him in back-to-back races in January last year, but he did continue his winning ways with victories in his first two starts of the current season. Size opted to give the four-year-old a break after his last-start defeat in January and he has impressed in four Conghua trials ahead of Saturday's race. Champion jockey Zac Purton, who has been a regular rider of several top contenders in the Pok Fu Lam Reservoir Road Handicap, has opted to ride Bottomuptogether. That decision paved the way for fellow Australian Brenton Avdulla to take the reins of Wunderbar for the first time. Another key booking is Lyle Hewitson on Invincible Shield, who has been booted home by visiting riders Tom Marquand, Ryan Moore and Craig Williams in his past three starts. Saturday's Class Two sprint looms as a likely curtain-raiser for the Sha Tin Vase on May 31, particularly for Fast Network who boasts a rating of 103. However, Yip won't confirm future plans for the talented galloper until after Saturday. 'We'll see how he goes and check how he pulls up first,' Yip said.
