It’s been a big few weeks for Luke Ferraris, with a flurry of winners lifting him to seventh in the premiership, and the young South African jockey is quietly confident he can continue his good form at Sha Tin on Sunday.

After five winners in October, Ferraris sits on eight victories from 59 rides this campaign and the 22-year-old’s strike rate of 13.6 per cent is better than all but superstars Zac Purton and Hugh Bowman.

The jockey’s strong form is starting to translate to improved support, with his seven-strong book at Sha Tin this weekend his biggest, and perhaps best, of the season.

“My book on Sunday looks like it’s got a bit more depth than others recently,” he said. “I’m looking forward to it. There’s a couple who are drawn nicely who should have their chance. Hopefully I can just keep kicking goals.

“To have eight winners from 59 rides, I’m ticking over at a fairly nice strike rate. It would be nice to keep that up.”

Ferraris will continue his hunt for his first Hong Kong Group success in Sunday’s feature, joining forces with defending champion Encountered in the Group Three Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse (1,800m).

Victorious for Manfred Man Ka-leung in this contest 12 months ago, Encountered is now under the care of David Hall and ran 12th over an unsuitable 1,200m in his first start for the Australian on October 20.

“He’s obviously won this race before, 1,800m is his trip and I think if he can get a smooth run in transit, I don’t see why he shouldn’t give a good account of himself,” Ferraris said of Encountered, who he partnered in a recent 1,200m dirt trial behind Beauty Eternal. “He felt nice and sharp.”

Ferraris reunites with My Wish in the Class Three Santa Monica Handicap (1,400m) after saluting aboard the Mark Newnham-trained four-year-old on the opening day of the season.

The son of Flying Artie has since run third carrying 120 pounds under Lyle Hewitson on his Class Three debut and must now negotiate barrier 14 and 122 pounds, as he tackles seven furlongs for the first time.

“Just off the rating, we thought he was going to get lighter and wouldn’t get my weight,” Ferraris said of My Wish’s last run.

“He obviously then ran an absolute blinder and he’s come back to my weight and I’m back on.

“The draw is going to be really tough. He’s probably going to need a lot to go his way. He’s stepping up to 1,400m and you wouldn’t want to be burning energy where you don’t need to, but I think from that draw it might force his hand a bit. Hopefully he can have a smooth run in transit without being trapped too wide.”

Ferraris will again partner Colonel as Newnham’s veteran chases three wins on the bounce in the Class Four Kate Tokyo Handicap (1,200m), while he’s looking forward to teaming up with Cheerful World in the Class Four Canmake Tokyo Handicap (1,200m).

“Cheerful World was all dressed up with nowhere to go in his last run,” said the jockey, who also jumps aboard Classic Century, Matsu Victor and Young Arrow this weekend.

“Obviously he’d come back from a long lay-off, but I thought considering what happened he probably should have finished a lot closer than what he did.

“He’s got a nice, soft barrier [four], so if he can put himself in a nice spot, there should be no reason he can’t finish strong.”