Vincent Ho Chak-yiu shrugged off a slow start to the season with his first treble in just over a year at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, with Jumbo Legend’s miraculous victory the highlight.

After just two wins from the first 10 meetings this term, Hong Kong’s top local jockey gained a much-needed confidence boost when booting home Galaxy Patch in last Sunday’s Group Two Sha Tin Trophy (1,600m) and carried that momentum into the city circuit’s midweek fixture.

Ho started his night with victory on Michael Chang Chun-wai’s Woodfire Champ in the Class Five Success Handicap (1,200m), before success in back-to-back races on Francis Lui Kin-wai’s Brave Star in the Class Three Longines Cup (1,200m) and Jumbo Legend in the Class Three Songs Of Victory Handicap (1,650m).

“It has been a slow start but hopefully the winners can keep coming now,” Ho said after notching his first three-timer since October 1 last year.

Brave Star overcame a wide run throughout to score his second straight triumph, drawing clear to beat Prawns Eleven by a decisive one and a half lengths.

But Ho saved his best until last, with the Caspar Fownes-trained Jumbo Legend delivering a performance that had to be seen to be believed.

Settling a distant last from barrier 12 and a mile off the leaders Frantanck and Soleil Fighter on the turn, Jumbo Legend launched an incredible burst down the outside to chase down Glorious Journey late.

“It was unbelievable,” Ho said after the six-year-old scored by a shorthead.

“I felt the pace was quite fast, so we had no option but to sit and wait and he came home very strong. When I hit the straight, I saw that I might have a chance. The last bit was still very close, but I had faith.”

Fownes was in awe of Jumbo Legend’s fourth win at start 31.

“Huge win,” he said. “We were quite concerned through the night when everything on the speed was destroying them, but it was a huge effort.

“He’s done that in the past when he’s chased them from the back of the field, but that was something else. It was beautiful – nice to watch.”

Jumbo Legend ran a fast-finishing third at Sha Tin at his previous start and relished dropping from top weight of 135 pounds in Class Four to 118 up in Class Three.

Fownes was also thrilled to see Ho return to top form.

“He needed that and I’m glad he’s got one for the team,” said the trainer.

Elsewhere, Mark Newnham and Ricky Yiu Poon-fai shared training honours with doubles while Luke Ferraris booted home a 379-1 brace aboard Yiu’s Victorythirtythree and the Newnham-trained Colonel.

Improving galloper Spicy Gold sealed Newnham’s brace, bringing up a hat-trick of successes with a barnstorming triumph in the first section of the Class Four Speedy Handicap (1,200m) under Alexis Badel.

“He’s a horse that used to use a lot of nervous energy before every start and he’s got a lot better,” Newnham said.

“He’s got a lot of natural talent and it’s about getting the right circumstances.”

Ferraris heaped praise on Colonel after he made all in the second section of the Speedy Handicap.

It was the eight-year-old’s second consecutive triumph from three starts since joining Newnham’s stable.

“I love him to bits, this horse,” Ferraris said. “He’s the nicest ride and it’s great to see him going so well. Mark’s got him going superbly.”

Sure Joyful delivered Yiu his brace with victory in the Class Four Racing Spirit Handicap (1,650m) under Matthew Chadwick.