The drinks are on Ben Thompson when Hugh Bowman is feeling better after the former snared his first win of the season in the latter’s absence at Sha Tin on Saturday.

After Bowman was stood down on race-day morning because of an ear issue, Thompson stepped up to ride Daily Trophy in the opener and made no mistake aboard the $5.05 chance.

“Hugh’s misfortune has been my fortune, so right place, right time,” Thompson said after his eighth Hong Kong winner, and second on the Sha Tin all-weather surface.

“I’m very thankful to Caspar Fownes’ connections for giving me the ride on him today.

“Obviously, we have had half a dozen meetings and it’s a place that moves very quickly and it was nice to get on the right horse today. May the winners keep coming.”

Winless from 20 rides this season entering Saturday’s meeting, Thompson positioned Daily Trophy in the one-one spot in a Class Five Ho Pui Handicap (1,200m) run outside standard throughout.

Thompson eased his mount out three wide cornering for home and claimed leader Diamond Soars at the 150m before seeing off Vulcanus by a neck.

“It’s nice for Ben to get a win there. He did a good job – rode the horse perfectly,” said trainer Caspar Fownes after Daily Trophy took his record to two wins from 22 starts.

Daily Trophy was Thompson’s fifth ride aboard a single-figure chance this season, with Fownes pleased to see the Australian rider make the most of his opportunity.

“When I looked at the race, there were quite a few jockeys available, and I said, ‘you know what, I’ll give Ben a chance’,” Fownes said.

“I’m so happy he got the result and hopefully now people can give him some support and he can show his ability.

“I just wanted to prove that if you give jockeys some decent rides they can prove themselves and their worth. He’s given the horse a perfect ride.

“In Hong Kong, if you’re riding horses that are not in form, it’s very hard to prove your ability. This is a horse who has always run well on the dirt.”

Bowman then had to watch on as another of his intended rides, Rubylot, took down red-hot favourite Bottomuptogether in the Class Three Yan Chai Trophy (1,200m).

The star jockey confirmed to the Post that while his ear issue is affecting his balance, he is hoping to be available for Tuesday’s National Day Cup meeting, where he is booked to ride Group One star Invincible Sage in the feature.

Two races after Thompson’s break through, it was Alfred Chan Ka-hei’s turn to taste success for the first time this season.

With just his eighth ride through the first seven meetings of the campaign, Chan booted $2.1 favourite Super Legends home for trainer Danny Shum Chap-shing in the second section of the Class Four Sha Tsui Handicap (1,200m).

“I haven’t ridden a winner at Sha Tin on grass for maybe two years and I’m really thankful to Danny,” said Chan after his first success on the Sha Tin turf since July last year.

“I work for him every morning, seven days a week and finally I got something in return, which is perfect. I’m very grateful for the opportunity.”

Ten-pound claiming apprentice Britney Wong Po-ni also got involved in the early exchanges, taking out the Class Four Tai Ho Handicap (1,200m) on the dirt aboard the Manfred Man Ka-leung-trained Jolly Companion.

Wong put her second Hong Kong success down to the work she’s been doing with the Jockey Club’s chief riding instructor, Felix Coetzee.

“We decided to be very positive out of the gate and we eventually got to the front nicely,” said Wong after initially sitting outside the leader aboard Jolly Companion before assuming control at the 700m and saluting by a length.

“I’ve been working very closely with Felix to improve how I jump and, with the 10-pound claim and carrying only 109 pounds, we were carrying a lot less than the other horses, which was a big advantage.

“He travelled happy and turning into the straight, he gave me a big kick and he just kept going. It was nice to get a win for Manfred.”