After following up a third career triumph in the HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) at Sha Tin last Sunday with a Happy Valley treble on Wednesday night (25 March), Hugh Bowman declared the last week “the highlight of this season”, while Danny Shum roared into trainers’ championship contention with a remarkable four-timer.

With the ink on the Derby’s roll of honour still fresh, Bowman was back to his brilliant best at the night meeting. After taking his seasonal tally to 44 wins, the Australian said he’d had this week, which yielded his first treble of the season, highlighted in his planner for a while.

“It goes in roundabouts; you have quiet periods, and you have good periods,” Bowman said. “I felt coming into this Wednesday night and the coming Sunday, I’ve got more rides that are capable of figuring in the finish. So, it’s a bit easier to get more focus for those days when you know in advance that they’re coming.”

Bowman claimed his first win of the night in the opener, partnering with Shum to guide Joyful Prosperity (135lb) to the Class 5 Tuen Mun Handicap (2200m). After circling the field mid-race, the six-year-old Japanese-bred got up to beat Romantic Fantasy (133lb) in a photo finish. It was a spirited effort from Joyful Prosperity, though Shum admitted: “He was very lucky – Hugh Bowman did a good job to get him up on the line.”

“He’s a horse; if he’s in the finish, he will really fight for you,” added Bowman. “He’s been an old soldier, and I’ve had a bit of luck on him. So it was good to win on him.”

Bowman scored his second win of the night in the second section of the Class 4 Tsuen Wan Handicap (1650m) courtesy of a measured ride aboard the Tony Cruz-trained Beauty Viva (128lb). Stalking the pace throughout, the five-year-old burst clear in the home straight for his first Hong Kong win.

“I feel like he’s got far more talent than his form suggests,” Bowman said. “I thought he’s raced with a bit more purpose today. He came out and raced like a horse should.”

Bowman’s hat-trick win came aboard Cody Mo trainee Motor (130lb) in the third section of the Class 4 Kwai Chung Handicap (1200m), with the four-year-old son of Fastnet Rock securing his second win of the season.

“I thought there was a lot of merit in Motor’s run,” Bowman said. “He gave me the feel of a horse that could win a race very soon when he had no luck at Sha Tin recently. So that was quite satisfying.”

Shum sealed a double when Lyle Hewitson piloted Win Method (128lb) to victory in the first section of the Class 4 Tsuen Wan Handicap (1650m).

“He suits the 1650m well and could even go over 1800m,” Shum said. “As a four-year-old, he will be even better. He can have a bright future at Happy Valley.”

Shum’s run continued when Without Compare (122lb) dug in bravely under Jerry Chau to deny a rallying Keefy (131lb) in the Class 3 Fanling Handicap (1650m), before the quartet was completed in the card-closing Class 3 Kwu Tung Handicap (1200m), when My Day My Way (123lb) held off Greater Bae (129lb) in a thrilling climax to the night.

“I won’t push my horses to win a championship,” said Shum, whose splendid night saw him leapfrog Francis Lui (38 wins) and David Hayes (40) and move to 41 wins for the season, one behind Mark Newnham (42) and two behind Caspar Fownes (43).

“In the last 12 years, I’ve really looked after my horses. Of course, I would love to win the championship, but I won’t push them.”

Honest Witness (123lb) finally broke through for Hayes in the second section of the Class 4 Kwai Chung Handicap (1200m). Wearing the storied black and green colours of the Da Silva family, the four-year-old made all, enjoying a ground-saving trip under champion jockey Zac Purton, before letting down in the final 200m to salute by a head over a fast-closing The Heir (128lb).

The owner of Honest Witness, Archie da Silva, who also owned the legendary Silent Witness, was thrilled to be back under the Winner’s Arch.

“I’ve waited two and a half years for a winner with those famous colours of mine,” Da Silva said. “I always firmly believed (Honest Witness) had ability.

“He got the rail today, led by two and a half lengths going into the straight, and bounced away. I’m so happy.”

Purton’s second win was also the night’s most dominant when promising four-year-old Hong Kong International Sale graduate Giant Ballon (124lb) romped home – for his second straight victory – in the first section of the Class 4 Kwai Chung Handicap (1200m) for trainer Douglas Whyte.

“He has come on, he’s improved, and he showed that tonight,” Whyte said. “The way he won and the way he’s going, you would imagine that he would be able to handle Class 3.”

Alexis Badel ended a lean spell when he took the Class 3 The Rotary Centenary Challenge Cup Handicap (1000m). The Frenchman halted a winless streak at 26 races aboard Manfred Man-trained Bunta Baby (118lb), who continued a fine season by registering his third win in four outings.

Hong Kong racing continues this Sunday (29 March) at Sha Tin.