Vincent Ho is loving being back in competition and the resolute 35-year-old hopes last-start winner Jumbo Legend (124lb) can kick off this season just as he ended the last in Wednesday night’s (17 September) HK$3.12 million Class 2 Shek O Handicap (1650m) for trainer Caspar Fownes at Happy Valley. 

Ho, who is clear in health and mind following extensive rehabilitation after a fall last February, has already hit the board this campaign with a win. The rider has worked tirelessly to recuperate from neck fractures and a head injury he sustained in that mishap, and is now focusing his attention on more success and better rides.

Ho said: “I’m enjoying it and I am happy with myself. I just have to get on some good horses and the results will come. Getting on the good horses is the most difficult thing at the moment. When people were saying ‘come back stronger’, well that’s what I am – there’s no doubt about that. I have done a lot of tests and assessments – all of them are better than before.”

Ho’s extended off-season comprised time at the Swiss Olympic Medical Centre, reacquainting himself with the feeling of being on horseback again and finding comfort in an old friend – legendary galloper Golden Sixty, who Ho rode in all 31 starts of his record-breaking career and regularly visits in Japan.

“For myself, I have no problem. It’s just the difficulty of getting on good horses, especially because I have been away for quite a long time. It’s harder and I will be patient. I’ll do my best every day and try to get on good horses,” Ho said.

Jumbo Legend arrives at Happy Valley tomorrow night seeking a second straight win. He is one of three rides for Ho when he resumes from gate four against Californiatotality (133lb), Voyage Samurai (131lb), Telecom Fighters (130lb), Encountered (129lb), La City Blanche (129lb), Soleil Fighter (129lb), Steps Ahead (126lb), Keefy (124lb), Lo Rider (121lb), Bravehearts (120lb) and Woodfire Bro (120lb).

“I know the horse well – he always performs. Hopefully, he does the same as last season. He’s won over all distances at Happy Valley except for the 1000 (metres). He’s an honest, decent horse,” Ho said.

Jumbo Legend is a seven-time winner at the city circuit for Fownes. The 85-rater found serious form last term by winning four times – including three from his most recent five appearances.

Lyle Hewitson got off the mark last Sunday (14 September) at Sha Tin with Metro Power. The South African teams with Steps Ahead in Happy Valley’s finale, drawn in gate nine for trainer Francis Lui.

“I rode him in the Four-Year-Old Classic Series and even then, I was of the opinion that he’s probably looking for blinkers and maybe even the 1650 (metres) at Happy Valley. Unfortunately, I wasn’t on him when he did go to Happy Valley, but he did acquit himself very well with the distance and headgear. There’s no reason why he can’t continue that vein of form because he’s a very consistent horse.

“His trackwork the other day, I thought he felt that he was pretty fit for a first-up horse and that he’d certainly come on from his barrier trial. He’s going into the race in good condition for a first-up run,” Hewitson said.

Five-year-old Steps Ahead goes into tomorrow after a trio of top-three finishes – each by under a length.

Mark Newnham got rolling last Sunday. The Australian expatriate scooped a double with Max Que and Same To You, form he hopes to carry into the midweek programme with six runners engaged, featuring Youthful Spirits (134lb) and Spicy Gold (131lb) in the Class 3 Repulse Bay Handicap (1000m).

Runner-up five times last season, on-pacer Youthful Spirits steps from draw 11 when he links with Luke Ferraris, while four-time winner Spicy Gold pairs with Hugh Bowman from barrier nine. 

“He (Youthful Spirits) doesn’t change much. We know what to expect from him. He’s a very quick horse and you can’t hold him up too much – his head gets higher; he doesn’t breathe the best and you have to just work with him,” Newnham said.

Of the resuming Spicy Gold, Newnham said: “He’s really good fresh. I just thought a 1000 (metres) fresh off a fast pace might suit him early in the season. He’s been very consistent at Happy Valley but we haven’t tried the 1000 with him. There’s every opportunity that he’ll hit the line strongly.

“Looking at him and the way he races, he’s the most unlikely Happy Valley horse you’d ever see. He’s big, awkward and he gets back (in the run). All the things that generally don’t win you races at Happy Valley, but once he gets it together, he chases hard.”

Group 1 winner Red Lion tuned up along with Patch Of Theta and Light Years Charm in the tenth batch of this morning’s (Tuesday, 16 September) busy trials session. John Size’s galloper was untested at the rear as Light Years Charm edged Patch Of Theta by a short head in 1m 10.59s over 1200m on dirt at Sha Tin.

Wednesday’s (17 September) eight-race fixture at Happy Valley starts at 7.10pm with the Class 5 Chung Hom Kok Handicap (1000m).