Francis Lui Kin-wai is optimistic Hot Delight can repeat his outstanding debut victory when he steps up to Class Three company in Thursday’s first section of the Yue Yee Handicap (1,200m) at Sha Tin.

The Too Darn Hot three-year-old backed up his strong trial form to create a big impression on his first race start, storming home from midfield to beat Conrad Patch by a length and three-quarters last month.

Lui’s big opinion of Hot Delight was vindicated and the in-form handler hopes his emerging galloper can handle the rise in grade at the Lunar New Year meeting.

“He looks like a good horse and if he can improve, he should perform again,” said Lui, whose stable is in hot form with 15 winners so far in 2026.

“He’s still young. It’s hard to say if he’s improved from his first run, but on his trackwork he’s concentrating more.”

Vincent Ho Chak-yiu will again ride Hot Delight, who has drawn gate seven. His rivals include a pair of imports, Helene Supafeeling and Glowing Praises, who both struck on their local debuts.

Lui’s team of seven runners at Sha Tin also includes the in-form Gallant Epoch in the Class Four Prosperity Handicap (1,400m).

The Iffraj gelding has finished in the first three in four of five starts this season, with a dominant course and distance victory two starts ago the highlight.

He backed that up with a fighting second to Turin Champions and has claims again, despite drawing wide in gate 10 and lumping top weight of 135lb.

“He’s in good form, but he’s got a lot of weight again,” Lui said.

Maxime Guyon retains the ride on Gallant Epoch.

Never Settle will make his Sha Tin debut for Lui off the back of two Happy Valley placings, while Baby Sakura makes his race debut for the veteran trainer in the second section of the Class Four Fat Choi Handicap (1,200m).

Lui said the duo’s pre-race manners will be crucial given the bumper crowd that is tipped to descend on Sha Tin.

“We’ll see how they parade before the race – some of the horses when they see the crowd will become nervous,” said Lui.

“I think that’s the main point and also their draws won’t help. They’ve still got a chance.”

Never Settle has drawn barrier 11 in the third section of the Class Four Fat Choi Handicap, while Baby Sakura has copped the same gate in the second section of the Fat Choi Handicap.

Baby Sakura has shown potential in his two most recent trials, finishing strongly for second before winning his latest at Conghua under race rider James Orman.

Packing Angel will continue his comeback from a knee injury in the feature Class Two Year Of The Horse Cup (1,600m), but Lui is looking for improvement after his first-up 10th behind stablemate Invincible Shield in the Class Two Able Friend Handicap (1,200m).

Thunder Kit and Do Your Part, who has claims in the closing Class Three Kut Cheong Handicap (1,400m), are Lui’s other runners.

Looking ahead to Sunday, the 67-year-old has three runners in the Group One Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m) – Patch Of Theta, Packing Hermod and Copartner Prance.

They face the mammoth task of taking on the world’s best sprinter Ka Ying Rising, who bids for a record-breaking 18th consecutive triumph.