Trainer Pierre Ng will saddle his first runner in the HK$13 million G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday, 24 May, and while this marks his debut in the final leg of the Triple Crown, the race holds family significance.
His father, Peter Ng, trained the legendary grey Quicken Away to win the 1990 Champions & Chater Cup when the race was run over 1800m. Just six days later, Quicken Away completed a remarkable top-level double by dropping back in distance to capture the Chairman’s Prize (now the G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize, 1200m) in style.
Pierre Ng, 42, hopes the in-form Ka Ying Generation can use his stamina to be competitive in the Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup, where 14-time Group 1 winner Romantic Warrior will take his shot at Triple Crown glory.
Ng said: “Given his limited distance options, we have targeted this Group 1 2400m race. He is very fit now, and hopefully he can be in the mix and finish in the money.”
“Of course, this will be Ka Ying Generation’s stiffest test, as we face a very tough field. However, his breeding and overseas form in Ireland suggest the trip will suit him.
“He used to be a horse who struggled to maintain his form, but after adding sheepskin cheekpieces in his last two runs, he has definitely improved. He is now racing more consistently and holding his form well.
“He is currently in Conghua. I was pleased with his trial performance there last Friday (15 May). The trial was over 1400m (on turf), which is a bit sharp for him, but he showed a good turn of foot. I will decide on his trackwork arrangements once he returns to Hong Kong later this week.”
Bred in Ireland, Ka Ying Generation finished second in the G3 Gallinule Stakes (2000m) at the Curragh before arriving in Hong Kong. By 2017 G1 2000 Guineas (1600m) winner Churchill, out of the staying mare War Goddess – herself a 2400m winner – Ka Ying Generation also ran a close second over 2400m at Leopardstown in Ireland.
He broke his local maiden in a Class 3 over 2000m and later that season finished third in the 2024 BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) as a 39/1 outsider, bravely attempting to make all before being caught by Massive Sovereign and Galaxy Patch. Though winless over the past two seasons, he has returned to form recently with consecutive placings over 1800m.
Ng said: “He used to be a front-runner or on-pace type, but recently he has developed into a strong closer. Tactically, I think he will settle where he feels comfortable in the Champions & Chater Cup. Again, Andrea Atzeni will ride him on Sunday. Romantic Warrior and Deep Monster are the main dangers.”
This year’s Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup field also includes Cap Ferrat, Gentlemen Legacy, Numbers, Romantic Thor, Winning Wing and overseas contenders Deep Monster and Rousham Park.