Francis Lui Kin-wai reduced the deficit in this year’s thrilling trainers’ championship at Sha Tin on Saturday as his exciting three-year-old King Miles continued his ascension against a host of promising types.

Striking the latest blow in this season’s pulsating title race, Lui moved within one win of Pierre Ng Pang-chi with two meetings remaining in the 2023-24 campaign courtesy of the progressive King Miles.

Lui suffered agonising runner-up finishes with Karate Express and Hasten Delight earlier in the card, but breathed a sigh of relief as King Miles fended off a late challenge from warm favourite The Winnabe in the Class Three Chow Silver Plate (1,400m).

“It’s good to get one,” Lui said after King Miles secured the trainer his 66th win of the season. “He’s an honest horse and he just keeps improving. I hope in the off-season he can improve a little bit more.”

Settled in midfield under Vincent Ho Chak-yiu, King Miles was angled out for a run at the 400m marker and immediately responded to the urgings of his rider.

After hitting the front 300m out, the son of Exceed And Excel drifted to his right but fought on to prevail by half a length over John Size’s $1.6 chance.

The youngster collected his third win from six outings and stopped the clock in a slick 1:21.11 seconds – around three and a half lengths quicker than standard time.

“He’s still learning and Vincent said when he hit the front, he seemed to have a good look around,” Lui said. “I hope he can at least improve a little bit, but of course a lot of improvement would be good.”

Lui has high hopes for his progressive galloper, with next year’s four-year-old series firmly on his radar.

“I think he can go [to the Classic series], he’s just very honest,” Lui said.

The veteran trainer was without a win from his previous 30 runners but struck at a crucial time at the twilight meeting, with Ng failing to strike with his eight-strong team.

The pair head to the final Happy Valley meeting of the season on Wednesday armed with eight runners each as they both bid to secure a maiden trainers’ championship.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Alfred Chan Ka-hei bagged his first win in the saddle since February 28 when he guided outsider Shanghai Style to victory in the Class Four Li Cup (1,200m).

The 30-year-old rider has only taken 89 rides this season and was delighted to salute aboard the Danny Shum Chap-shing-trained galloper.

“About three weeks ago, Danny asked if I would like to come and ride work and said he would give me a few race rides because I wasn’t getting many opportunities,” Chan said.

“Of course, I said I was interested and I’m really grateful and happy to get a result for Danny.”

Benno Yung Tin-pang also landed a timely winner under the floodlights just three days after he had his training license renewed for the 2024-25 campaign, with Ballistic Win surging down the outside under Ben Thompson to land the Class Four IP Jug (1,400m).

The three-year-old flew home from the rear of the field to gift his trainer – who has been struggling with ongoing health issues – a 29th win for the campaign.

“It was a great win,” Thompson said. “His two runs in the same class over 1,200m have been really good. I was confident on a dry track today he could show an even better turn of foot.”