In one of the most exciting trainers’ championship finishes in Hong Kong history, Francis Lui Kin-wai won four of the last five races at Sunday’s season finale to upstage Pierre Ng Pang-chi by just one victory.

Trailing Ng by three wins after the long-time title leader fired in a double at Sha Tin, Lui produced three consecutive winners before sealing his first title in the 831st and final race of the season with Patch Of Theta.

Ng struck an early blow with Beauty Waves and First Love victorious in the first half of the card before Lui launched his extraordinary run with Steps Ahead, Chancheng Glory and Packing Hermod.

A popular figure in the Hong Kong training ranks for many years, Lui was embraced by championship-winning trainers Caspar Fownes, Dennis Yip Chor-hong and Tony Cruz after Hugh Bowman booted home Patch Of Theta in the Class Three All You Wish Handicap (1,400m).

“Yes, finally,” the 65-year-old said after capturing his first premiership.

“The middle of the season, everybody would think Pierre [would win]. He had won so many races that he would be hard to catch.

“Lucky I had a couple of three-year-olds with good quality who can win a race.

“[It was] very hard. Whenever I got close with Pierre, he [won] again. Like today, look at all my horses I thought had good chances but Pierre still won two races.”

Lui’s dramatic title triumph matched Yip’s famous feat in 2013, when he won the final race of the season at Happy Valley to beat Cruz by a sole victory.

Incredibly that same term, Lui managed only 13 wins to just meet the trainers’ benchmark.

In more recent years, the veteran handler has risen to be a constant top-five force in the trainers’ standings while also enjoying elite-level success with champion galloper Golden Sixty.

When asked how he would celebrate his momentous achievement, Lui said: “I can take a sleep first.”

Lui and Ng were tied on 69 wins with two races to go on Sunday, but the former held the advantage on a countback to seconds when Holy Lake was runner-up in the penultimate event.

The highlight of Lui’s four-timer was undoubtedly Packing Hermod, who backed up his sizzling debut win at Happy Valley with a dominant performance in the Class Three Pingwu Spark Handicap (1,200m).

Stalking the leader Bits Superstar in running, Packing Hermod hit the front for Zac Purton early in the straight and exploded clear to bolt in by three lengths.

“He’s a good horse,” Lui said.

“Hopefully he can recover well and improve next season. He could be a Four-Year-Old Series horse.”

Steps Ahead was another impressive three-year-old to score for Lui and Purton, breaking through for his first victory in the Class Four Big Profit Handicap (1,400m).

“He’s inexperienced and every time he learns a bit more,” Lui said.

“Hopefully he improves for next season and he can step out over longer distances.”

In an incredible second season training, Ng led the race for championship glory for more than six months before Lui surged into contention in the second half of the campaign.

The 40-year-old will no doubt be a force to be reckoned with in future seasons.

“I’ve definitely got a stronger team than this year heading into next season, so hopefully we can keep building,” Ng said.