Alfred Chan broke new ground with the first three-timer of his career at Sha Tin on Sunday. The Hong Kong Jockey Club Apprentice Jockeys’ School scholar opened with Magic Supreme, continued with Care Free Prince and wrapped up with Baltic Whisper.

The crowning victory came in the Class 3 Fu Tai Handicap (1000), with Chan urging the Shum-trained Baltic Whisper stand-side through the rain to hold off the Joao Moreira-ridden favourite War Of Courage by a short-head.

“That feels good – absolutely,” Chan said. “I galloped him the other day and I said to Danny that he worked much better than when I rode him earlier this season. The weather and the track conditions affected a lot today but he enjoyed it.”

The rider, now 16 months into his Hong Kong career, had already posted three doubles this season, the latest only a week ago.  

“The important thing for me is that now we’re at the end of the season, my seven-pound claim is really helping the horses,” he said. “I’m progressing slightly and gradually, just getting better and learning all the time.”

And it was so close to being a Poon-matching four wins but for Mister Monte’s narrow second to Great Smart in race four.

“I was beaten by a short-head – I was a little bit angry about it but I couldn't help the draw (13). Racing is racing and one day you beat the others and another day they beat you,” he said.

The apprentice’s first win helped John Moore edge closer to contention for the trainers’ championship as Magic Supreme improved the handler’s haul to 51 wins, seven off the top spot and just one behind third-positioned Tony Cruz. Chan guided the four-year-old to a maiden score in section one of the Class 4 Po Tin Handicap (1200m).

He then teamed with a horse he knows well, Care Free Prince. The Manfred Man-trained seven-year-old was Chan’s first Hong Kong winner, back on 7 April last year, and the rider made no mistake when hurrying to the fore from gate 12 and driving to victory in the Class 4 Sam Shing Handicap (1400m).

Man took his tally to 29 with his sixth double of the campaign: Great Smart, ridden by Matthew Chadwick, got his head down to deny Mister Monte in the Class 5 Yau Oi Handicap (1800m).

Moreira started the day five behind Zac Purton in the jockeys’ title race but closed the gap and ended a run of 26 races without a win when the John Size-trained Leap Of Faith won the Class 4 Tai Hing Handicap (1600m).

Benno Yung saddled a 283/1 winner at Happy Valley on Wednesday night and the trainer welcomed a 12/1 success thanks to Win Win living up to his name again after four consecutive double-digit finishes. Brazilian rider Vagner Borges pushed the four-year-old a length and a half clear in the Class 3 Lung Yat Handicap (1400m).

Hong Kong racing continues at Happy Valley on Wednesday, 10 June.

Delight for Alfred Chan with his first treble, picture Hong Kong Jockey Club