Ricky Yiu Poon-fai has rued a run of bad draws after last-start winner Volcanic Spark was lumped with gate 12 for Saturday’s Class Three Tsuen Lok Handicap (1,600m) at Sha Tin.

Three of Yiu’s four weekend runners have drawn nine or wider, including two in 12, with the trainer lamenting the continuation of a run of tricky alleys for gallopers he’s considered winning chances.

“He trialled well but unfortunately he’s drawn wide,” Yiu said of Volcanic Spark.

“A stack of my runners have drawn wide. It’s become very frustrating. I don’t even want to look when declarations come out – it spoils my day.”

Successful over 1,800m in Class Four at the end of last season, Volcanic Spark carries just 116 pounds under Andrea Atzeni but will have his work cut out against Frankie Lor Fu-chuen’s Voyage Samurai and the Douglas Whyte-trained Fortunate Son.

“The horse Zac [Purton] is riding for Dougie is the main danger. That was a good second last start,” Yiu said of the Classic Series-bound Fortunate Son.

Yiu also saddles up Diamond Soars, Bowser and Affirm on Saturday, with his hand reduced from six to four after the scratchings of Harry’s Hero and Green N White on Friday morning.

A two-time winner last season to go with three seconds, Green N White was all set to run for the first time since March after undergoing surgery on his right fore fetlock, however it’s now a tongue wound keeping him sidelined.

Yiu admitted he doesn’t know how the injury occurred, but said Green N White, who travelled to Sha Tin from Conghua on Thursday, required stitches and would need to be sedated, ruling him out of Saturday’s contest.

Before turning his attention to the weekend, Yiu had a keen eye on a couple of high-profile triallers on Thursday and Friday.

After Voyage Bubble finished second in a 1,200m dirt trial in Conghua on Thursday morning, Straight Arron strode out nicely for third over six furlongs on the Sha Tin all-weather surface on Friday.

“It was a promising trial, I was very happy,” Yiu said of Group One winner Voyage Bubble, who is likely to race only domestically this campaign after two failed overseas bids earlier this year.

“It was his second trial of the season and he’s aiming at the [Group Two Sha Tin Trophy (1,600m)] on October 13. Andrea will ride him. Straight Arron trialled well again and I hope I can improve him a little bit.”

While Yiu won’t have a runner in Tuesday’s Group Three National Day Cup (1,000m) at Sha Tin, he does bring Sunlight Power back to the races.

A comprehensive victor on September 15, Sunlight Power steps up to Class Two for the first time in a contest featuring Copartner Prance and Patch Of Theta.

“He’s a very interesting horse who is on his way up. He’s carrying seven pounds less than last time against a similar sort of field. I think he’ll do it again,” said Yiu.