Ricky Yiu Poon-fai is a fan of Happy Valley’s annual day meeting and the veteran handler hopes to replicate his success from a year ago with a seven-strong team at the city circuit on Sunday.

At the same meeting last term, Yiu won the final three races on the card with Precise Express, Golden Artie and Splendid Living.

The 67-year-old is also fresh from a double at the most recent Valley meeting on October 16, courtesy of Sure Joyful and Victorythirtythree.

The latter chases back-to-back wins in Sunday’s Class Four Kwangtung Cup (1,000m) after his shock win at $29 last start.

But while his first career success at start five came as a surprise to many, it did not bewilder Yiu.

“I wasn’t really surprised with the win, because he did well before he came to Hong Kong,” Yiu said.

“The run before he won was disappointing and that put me off a bit, but we changed the jockey and the tactics and he won like a completely different horse.”

While Luke Ferraris guided Victorythirtythree to victory last start, Matthew Chadwick has been booked to ride the son of All Too Hard in the Kwangtung Cup.

Victorythirtythree jumps from barrier two in even field which also features the likes of last-start winner Grand Nova and consistent performers Ma Comet, Happy Tango and Kokushi Musou.

“He’s done really well and he’s put on a bit of weight,” Yiu said. “Looking at the horse, Happy Valley suits him better than the long straight at Sha Tin for the time being.”

Yiu and Ferraris will combine in the first section of the Class Four Huizhou Handicap (1,200m) with Smart Fighter, who is still chasing a maiden victory after six placings from 14 starts.

The five-year-old went close first up when second to Sweet Briar and added another placing to his record last start when third to Swift Ascend.

“Looking at him, you wouldn’t believe he’s still a maiden. He’s been knocking on the door and he’s ready to go,” Yiu said.

While he has been burdened by barriers seven and nine in his two starts this campaign, Smart Fighter should get a far more economical run from gate two on Sunday.

Yiu is also upbeat about Volcanic Spark bouncing back from a first-up 11th behind Pray For Mir over 1,600m at Sha Tin.

The Wrote gelding, who drops back to Class Four company for the Shenzhen Handicap (1,800m), showed ability with two wins and as many placings in his debut campaign last season.

“He didn’t have the luck [from barrier 12] last time and I’d probably prefer to have him at Sha Tin,” Yiu said.

“But it’s not easy to find a race for him, so I stuck him in at Happy Valley. He’ll cope with the distance for sure.”

Brenton Avdulla will ride Volcanic Spark, who also has an improved draw in gate four.

Joyful Friendship, Sweet Diamond, Mega Bonus and Victory Sky are Yiu’s other Valley runners.

Meanwhile, Yiu is pleased with the progress of stable star Voyage Bubble and Straight Arron in the lead-up to their Group Two assignments on November 17.

“Voyage Bubble’s doing really well, he hasn’t put a foot wrong,” Yiu said.

“The feedback I’ve had from Conghua is positive. I’m really happy with Straight Arron, too, and I’m surprised with how he finished [for fourth in the Sha Tin Trophy] last time. Let’s hope for the best when they both run on November 17.”