It was a bittersweet afternoon for Jimmy Ting Koon-ho on Sunday, with the trainer finding himself in hospital and requiring stitches shortly after celebrating a much-needed winner at Sha Tin.

After returning only one victory from the first 16 meetings of the season, Ting struck in Sunday’s Class Three Suisse Programme Handicap (1,200m) thanks to a dominant front-running performance from Glory Elite.

But Ting’s celebrations were short-lived, with the handler cutting his left hand on the lead rope when the horse pulled back during the winning photos.

It was an important success for the trainer – who saluted for the first time since Deal Completed’s win at Sha Tin on September 28 – and a third victory from 10 starts for Glory Elite.

Ting’s improving galloper took another step forward courtesy of Derek Leung Ka-chun’s decisive front-running tactics.

After assuming the lead from gate three, Glory Elite took his rivals along at a reasonable tempo before surging for home 300m out.

The galloper immediately shot clear of the field and kept on strongly to the line, with Lady’s Choice two and a half lengths back in second and debutant Alsonso a further quarter of a length adrift in third.

Glory Elite’s win secured a brace for Leung, who was successful on Sugar Ball in the Class Four Canmake Tokyo Handicap (1,200m) earlier in the card.

Double delight for Yeung

A jubilant Keith Yeung Ming-lun could hardly contain his excitement after he booted home his first double in nearly six months at Sha Tin on Sunday.

With three wins under his belt heading into the 17th meeting of the season, Yeung increased his tally when he tasted success with enterprising rides aboard Kingly Demeanor and Master Of All.

“It’s an amazing day,” Yeung said after sealing his brace aboard the Chris So Wai-yin-trained Master Of All.

The 36-year-old opened his account for the afternoon in the Class Five L’Oreal Paris Handicap (1,800m), maintaining a strong gallop from pillar to post aboard the Tony Cruz-trained Kingly Demeanor.

Master Of All assumed the lead from gate three in the Class Four La Estephe Handicap (1,400m), came under pressure 400m from home and pulled out all the stops to get the better of Dragon Joy in a tight finish.

The rider thumped his chest in celebration and let out an almighty roar in front of the crowd en route to the winners’ enclosure.

“I love him so much,” Yeung said. “Before we gelded him, his performances were bad and he was never going to make it in Hong Kong.

“But, with all the hard work Chris has put in, he’s come right and he’s turned into the most consistent racehorse.

“Every time he comes out, no matter what barrier he has or what the circumstances are, he always gives his best.

“The horse showed a magnificent fighting heart and just fought back. It’s horses like him that make you really enjoy racing.”

After winning with Kingly Demeanor, veteran trainer Cruz secured a double of his own thanks to Californiatotality.

The four-year-old took his tally to three wins from 12 starts with victory in the Class Four Grace One Handicap (1,600m).

French flier targets HKIR

Jerome Reynier could be set for a return to Sha Tin, with the French trainer suggesting Golden Eagle (1,500m) runner-up Lazzat could line up in next month’s Group One Hong Kong Mile.

A narrow second behind fellow raider Lake Forest in the Rosehill feature, Lazzat is one of two Longines Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) entries for Reynier, however Group One Dubai Turf (1,800m) hero Facteur Cheval is considered unlikely to come.

“I think [we will go to Hong Kong], with that run under his belt and now we can tick him over,” Reynier, who saddled up Royal Julius and Skalleti at HKIR 2020, told Racenet.

“We will definitely consider it and will see how he recovers over the next few days.”

While Group One Cox Plate (2,040m) heroine Via Sistina won’t be coming to Hong Kong, a string of other gallopers are eyeing Sha Tin features after racing during the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Ciaron Maher’s sprinter Recommendation runs in the Listed Century Stakes (1,000m) on Thursday, while Antino tackles next Saturday’s Group One Champions Mile and Without A Fight lines up in the Group One Champions Stakes (2,000m) on the same day.

Aidan O’Brien’s Jan Brueghel, who was scratched from Tuesday’s Group One Melbourne Cup (3,200m) after failing a scan, is considered a chance to run in the Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m).

Another potential Vase contender, Rebel’s Romance, produced a gutsy victory in the Group One Breeders’ Cup Turf (2,400m) at Del Mar on Sunday morning Hong Kong time.

A dominant winner of May’s Group One Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m) at Sha Tin, Rebel’s Romance kept on well to regain his crown and deny the fast-finishing Rousham Park by a neck.

Trainer Charlie Appleby put HKIR on the table in July and Jockey Club officials remain hopeful Sha Tin will be the setting for the six-year-old’s next assignment.

Elsewhere, connections of Group One Breeders’ Cup Mile runner-up, Johannes, are also tossing up a potential tilt at the Hong Kong Mile.

Recovering Lam to head home

Jockey Club trainee apprentice Ivy Lam will return home to Hong Kong this week to continue her recovery from injuries sustained in a race fall in South Australia.

The 23-year-old was airlifted to Royal Adelaide Hospital with head injuries after falling from Jacobs Gate when the horse suffered a mid-race heart attack at Gawler racecourse last month.

Trainer Gordon Richards, who is Lam’s master along with co-trainer Damien Moyle, said Lam was discharged from hospital last week.

“She is now planning to continue her recovery at home in Hong Kong. She departs next week,” Richards said in a social media post.

“So we wish her all the best in getting back to good health. Ivy’s recovery is no doubt due to her unique tenacity in a situation that she has fought bravely through with dignity and humour.”