Ricky Yiu Poon-fai has an extra spring in his step after Sunlight Power’s spectacular return and the veteran handler hopes his Happy Valley team can keep the good times rolling on Wednesday night.

Sunlight Power handed Yiu his first victory of the season with an impressive win at Sha Tin on Sunday, prompting connections to set their sights on Group races in the near future.

Yiu is adamant the five-year-old’s rating can soar past 100 in the wake of his two-length triumph in the Class Three Yiu Tung Handicap (1,400m).

Turning his attention to Wednesday’s Happy Valley meeting, the 67-year-old trainer has a solid team of seven runners including city circuit specialist Simply Maverick and a dual-pronged assault on the strongest race on the card.

Simply Maverick returns in the Class Three So Kon Po Handicap (1,650m) after notching three wins at the course and distance last term.

The Sebring gelding was on a potential Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) path, but Yiu switched him back to Happy Valley after he managed only 12th behind Helios Express in the Classic Cup (1,800m) in March.

He followed that run with a close second to Ivy League before a well-beaten 11th as the $2.9 favourite in May, in which rider Zac Purton expressed concern something could have been amiss and subsequently eased him down late.

“He had a long, hard season but he’s back to himself now,” Yiu said.

“He loves Happy Valley. If he can get into the first three [in running], he’ll be very competitive.”

Simply Maverick warmed up for his return with two Conghua trials, finishing strongly late under a hold for third in his most recent hit-out.

Andrea Atzeni reunites with the five-year-old on Wednesday night, having booted him home in all three victories last campaign, and he jumps from barrier seven.

Mr Ascendency and Natural Storm will represent Yiu in the Class Two Deep Water Bay Handicap (1,650m), which shapes as the highlight of the eight-race card.

Mr Ascendency was a course and distance winner at Class One level last season, while Natural Storm is a three-time winner at 2,000m and further.

“The 1,650m will be a fraction short for Natural Storm. He’ll need further,” Yiu said. “Mr Ascendency is a clever horse. He could surprise.”

Mr Ascendency has drawn barrier seven for jockey Harry Bentley and Antoine Hamelin, who is one win shy of 100 in Hong Kong, has been tasked with helping Natural Storm overcome barrier 12.

Danny Shum Chap-shing’s trio Moments In Time, Helene Feeling and Chill Chibi, Tony Cruz’s pair Outgate and Red Hare King and consistent performer Yellowfin are among the top contenders in the Class Two contest.

Shum has made a flying start to the season with four victories, but his hopes in the Class Two were dealt a blow when Moments In Time and Helene Feeling drew wide in barrier 10 and 11, respectively. Chill Chibi fared the best of his three runners with gate four.

Yiu and Hamelin will also team up in the opening race, the second section of the Class Four Wong Chuk Hang Handicap (1,400m), with last-start winner Giant Leap.

The Capitalist four-year-old broke through at start six with an all-the-way triumph over 1,200m at the Valley in July.

Smart Fighter, Diamond Soars and Little Fairy are Yiu’s other runners on Wednesday night.