Manfred Man soared into select company at Sha Tin on Saturday (4 October) when the veteran horseman snared his 700th win as a trainer to join an illustrious band of contemporaries with Ruby Sailing’s victory.

A former champion apprentice jockey whose most significant success in the saddle came aboard Go-Getter in the 1979 QEII Cup, Man joins John Size (1,614), Tony Cruz (1,573), Caspar Fownes (1,173), Ricky Yiu (1,068), Francis Lui (986), Danny Shum (879) and Dennis Yip (878) among the current trainers to saddle 700 winners or more in Hong Kong.

A former assistant trainer to Hong Kong’s training record-holder John Moore (1,734), Man was typically modest with his achievement.

“I feel happy, of course, because this horse finds it difficult to win after having two operations on his throat because he is a roarer,” Man, 68, said after Ruby Sailing (110lb) clung to a narrow margin under apprentice Britney Wong. “Racing is racing.”

Man was first licensed to train in 2001 and has since produced Group 1 winners Lucky Sweynesse and Eagle Regiment.

Man’s milestone came as Luke Ferraris powered to the third treble of his Hong Kong career after the 23-year-old South African landed the opening three races of the meeting.

He struck first aboard Yoda’s Choice (135lb), who gave Pierre Ng his first win of the campaign in the Class 5 Tung Chung Handicap (1650m, dirt) before combining with David Hayes-trained pair Decrelot (125lb) in the Nam Sang Wai Handicap (1400m) and Precision Goal (135lb) in the Class 4 Sai Kung Handicap (1650m, dirt).

“Decrelot hasn’t been the easiest horse, he put it all together today but there’s been a lot of times where he hasn’t and, hopefully, he can go on from here,” Ferraris said. “Yoda’s Choice is a typical dirt horse who likes to go to the front and he’s most effective when he can cruise along without any pressure and go through his gears.

“Precision Goal is a lovely horse – he’s been such a soldier. David Hayes does such a phenomenal job with these older gallopers and it’s quite an art with these old campaigners to keep them happy and winning, which David has.

“Credit to David and his team. I think I’ve won four races on Precision Goal now and it’s a lovely way to start the day with three wins.”

Ferraris’ domination was finally ended by fellow South Africans Lyle Hewitson and Douglas Whyte, who teamed with Strathpeffer (120lb) in the first section of the Class 4 Pak Tam Au Handicap (1400m).

Cementing his place at the top of the trainers’ championship, Mark Newnham produced the first three place-getters in the Class 2 High West Handicap (1650m, dirt) with Karis Teetan piloting Sing Dragon (120lb) to victory over Talents Ambition (125lb) and Mojave Desert (116lb).

Newnham’s three runners earned HK$2.76 million collectively.

“I’ve had quinellas before but not the first three (in a race),” Newnham beamed. “All three horses ran to their form – I’m pleased all of my owners got good stake money. It was just Sing Dragon’s turn today.

“Hopefully we can separate them (the horses) in the future, but there’s not too many of these races so they’ll be racing against each other in the future.

“We’d have to look at some (overseas) options if their ratings keep going the way they are. I’m sure we’ve got a couple of owners who are keen to travel but their form would need to warrant it.”

Bulb General (130lb) continued to impress with success for Jamie Richards and Zac Purton in the Class 3 Tung Lung Chau Handicap (1200m) as the Embellish gelding edges towards the lucrative Four-Year-Old Classic Series – the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m), HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) and HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m).

“We’ve got some nice targets for him if he keeps progressing. He doesn’t overtax himself, and I think most of the better ones are a little bit like that, so we’ve got plenty to look forward to,” Richards said.

“The plan would be to step him up (in trip) at some stage. The Classic Series would be the plan; we’ve got a long way to go but he’s progressing well and he’s winning with a bit of authority, so hopefully he can keep cracking on.”

Purton said: “He’s a tough horse because he’s a shocking mover. In the mornings, he feels the ground. Doesn’t trial well on the dirt because he’s not comfortable on it but he’s turning up race day, which is what matters,” Purton said.

“He had a pretty poor gate (12), was hoping to get into a nice spot, he moved into it and did the job nicely – it didn’t feel like he was getting away from them the way that he did, so that was good sign.

“He goes up in grade again and hopefully he can continue the path that he’s on.”

Me Tsui’s Wonderstar (116lb) earned a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million with his success for Me Tsui and Matthew Chadwick in the Class 3 The Association Of Hong Kong Racing Journalists 40th Anniversary Cup Handicap (1000m).

A winner in his native Australia before notching four victories in Macau, Wonderstar has won a total of seven races in three regions from 1000m to 1600m.

Etalon Or (131lb) was rewarded for consistency when the Heroic Valour gelding swept to victory in the second section of the Class 4 Pak Tam Au Handicap (1400m) for Ricky Yiu and Alexis Badel. Placed in eight of his previous 13 starts, the chestnut was ridden off the pace and proved too strong.

Dylan Mo slotted his first win of the season when Yiu’s Mighty Strength (115lb) upstaged his rivals to land the Class 3 Nam Long Shan Handicap (1800m).

“First, I must thank the trainer and the owners for their support,” Mo said. “I continue to work hard to get opportunities and ride my horses the best I can.”

Hong Kong racing continues at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (8 October).