3 minute read

Apprentice Peter Lui was due to return to Hong Kong late las year as his tenure with Team Wells had expired but due to that country’s borders being closed due to the pandemic, he has remained in the state.

In Brief

• Peter Lui lands first double in Launceston.
• Trainer rates Lui's ride 11 out of 10.
• Work ethic and desire to improve are great assets.

In Launceston last Wednesday night Lui made the most of his extended stay by landing a double, his first on the Launceston circuit since arriving in the state two years ago.

Lui scored aboard Alpine Eagle filly Geegee Alpine Gold  ($51) in a maiden over 1120 metres and capped the night with a peach of a ride aboard Lady Joker which is owned in the main by Trent and Leah Wells.

Lady Joker emerged triumphant in a three-way photo finish in the 0-62 Handicap over 1120m.

Geegee Alpine Gold started at $51 as one of the rank outsiders, while Lady Joker was well supported before drifting to start at $9.50.

Lui said he was happy to be still living in Tasmania and riding for the Wells team.

"I love it here in Tasmania and I am happy working for the Wells family," Lui said.

"With the borders closed in Hong Kong it is very difficult for me to return home, but I am not worried because I have a good life here."

Lui is a part of an apprentice placement program that exists between Team Wells, Tasracing and the Hong Kong Jockey Club, like the one that exists with Racing South Australia.

Dean Wells said Lui's ride to secure victory on debut for Geegee Alpine Gold was one of his best.

"That was an 11 out of 10 ride from Pete and that's why he has so much potential," Dean Wells said.

Geegee Alpine Gold is owned and was bred by Paul and Elizabeth Geard who earned a $20,000 Tasbred bonus for the win.

Wells said the filly had shown nothing on the training track to suggest she might deliver such a brilliant performance.

"This filly has shown us absolutely nothing at home on the training track but each time we took her to the trials she performed well, so maybe she just saves it all for race day."

Lui, 24, was used a lot by outside trainers in the first year he arrived in the state but in recent times he has struggled to secure outside rides.

Co-trainer Leon Wells said there is no stronger apprentice in the state.

"Pete's work ethic and desire is second to none and he is forever working on his fitness and skills and after this double other trainers might reconsider putting him on," Leon Wells said.

"He did have an issue with pulling the trigger early on his mounts, but he has worked on making that better but there is no apprentice in the state over the final 300 metres of a race."