TRAINER David Hill and stable apprentice Raymond S. M. Tam combined with game topweight Lionheart (6-1) to earn their share of the silverware on the final day of the season.
Lionheart's facile five-length success in the fourth event on the card gave Hill the Wong Choy Cup and enabled Tam to overhaul the late Francis K. S. Lam to collect the trophy as leading rider in the special jockeys' condition races championship.
Lionheart's commanding win also clinched third place on the trainers' title for Hill who just edged out his old India friend, Lawrie Fownes.
''It was an important win for all of us but by no means a surprise,'' said Hill.
''If you forget Lionheart's last run he had to be there. And last time Raymond just could not get hold of him and he was much too close to the pace. He cannot be ridden that way.
''Today the draw of 10 suited us very well and Raymond was able to ease him over and get plenty of cover. Lionheart also settled very well and then came home down the outside as he likes to do.'' For Tam it was an important win - but one tinged with sadness.
''I try to win all my races because it is important. But Francis was a good friend and we miss him a lot. It might have been right if he had won the cup for these races but I had to do my best,'' said Tam, who has had a good season with Hill.
