They will be watching from the sidelines during the Group Two feature and have lost a strong winning chance through the scratching of Enterprise Attack, but dynamic duo Vincent Ho Chak-yiu and Francis Lui Kin-wai still have reasons to be excited ahead of Sunday’s Sha Tin meeting.

A comprehensive winner when on Hong Kong debut on the final day of last season, Enterprise Attack will have to wait a little longer for his second start in the city after suffering a heart irregularity and being replaced in the Class Three Lung Hang Handicap (1,200m) by Frankie Lor Fu-chuen’s Super Highway, whom Ho will ride.

However, Ho and Lui will still combine with a last-start victor, with Always Fluke looking to make it two in a row in the Class Four Sun Tin Wai Handicap (1,400m).

The pair, who teamed up for 37 wins last term and have tasted success twice from nine attempts so far this campaign, also join forces for Joyful Hunter’s run in the Class Three Mei Tin Handicap (1,400m).

An unlucky third when looking to ring up a hat-trick of wins and remain undefeated last start, a galloper connections believe can feature in the Classic Series steps up to seven furlongs for the first time.

“We got held up a bit [last start]. If I’d got a clear run, I probably could have been close to the win or even could have been winning. He’s a lovely, big boy. I think he has the potential to go forward and improve even more. I’m looking forward to riding him,” Ho said of Joyful Hunter in an interview with the Jockey Club.

“He settles well now in the race, and we don’t think he’s a six-furlong horse, so it’s no problem to step him up. We’re pretty sure he can handle it through how he’s pulled up in previous races. He’s quite keen, even after the post. We think he’ll handle way longer distances.

“I think it’s even better because we’ve got a longer straight to pick them up. At Happy Valley, I have to dig him halfway through the corner to get his momentum going. At Sha Tin, the longer straight feels easier,” Ho said ahead of Joyful Hunter’s second headquarters run after consecutive victories at the city circuit.

Lui’s third and final runner at the season’s 10th meeting is another last-start victor in Packing Treadmill, who tackles the Class Two Lek Yuen Handicap (1,200m) under Lyle Hewitson after resuming with a nice win at the course and distance three weeks ago.

Ho rides the precocious Dream Winner in the Lek Yuen Handicap. He also jumps aboard Master Of Fortune, Prince Chiswick and Starship Eighty at the final fixture before he begins his 10-meeting suspension for failing to ride Capital Delight all the way to the finish line at Happy Valley on October 4.

Ho’s ban runs from October 18 to November 20. However, he has appealed the severity of the penalty and is awaiting a date to plead his case.