The midweek meeting after the Hong Kong International Races isn’t often one of the season’s most invigorating, but Jimmy Ting Koon-ho added some excitement to proceedings with the longest-priced winner of the term at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.

Having his third start for Ting after switching from the Mark Newnham stable earlier this season, Good Luck Win made a sharp form reversal to defy his $96.85 quote and land victory in the Class Four Mesia Handicap (1,650m).

“It’s a little bit of a surprise but I thought he would run well,” said Ting, adding that owners Siu Wai-chung and Lo Nga-yin were particularly pleased to see the five-year-old land his first Hong Kong win at start nine after failing to finish better than eighth in his first eight runs.

“I told the owner he had a bit of a chance, so he is very happy. I think he did [have a bet].”

Taken to the front by Angus Chung Yik-lai, Good Luck Win was able to lead the field through the first 850m over a second and a half outside standard.

While Ben Thompson took off mid-race aboard Snowalot and eventually assumed the lead, Good Luck Win fought back in the straight to prevail by half a length.

“He was a bit lucky there was a slow pace, which made it very easy to go in front,” Ting said after landing his third winner of the season.

“Even though today coming from behind is better, the pace was slow and it was suitable for him. It’s nice to get a winner and hopefully we will get some more.”

One race after Good Luck Win’s knockout blow, Harry Bentley ticked off a significant milestone in his Hong Kong career by landing his 100th winner in the city.

After finding a nice spot in midfield aboard Atomic Force in the Class Three Nightjar Handicap (1,000m), Bentley picked his way through heavy traffic in the straight aboard Cody Mo Wai-kit’s galloper to grab Youthful Spirits close to the post.

“I’m really pleased with that. It’s been a slow start to the season and I’d hoped the 100 would have come up a lot faster than it has done, but nonetheless we got there and I’m looking forward to the next 100,” said Bentley after moving to six winners for the campaign.

“I was super happy with where I was settled in the race because he’s a horse that doesn’t want to be too close to the pace because he’s a good closer.

“Everything was going smoothly and just the horse in front tightened him up slightly, so credit to the horse – he quickened again and got there when it mattered.”

Elsewhere at the season’s 28th meeting, John Size banged in his first double of the campaign thanks to victories from Country Dancer and Beauty Light.

Zac Purton and Andrea Atzeni shared the riding honours, with the former delivering aboard Beauty Light before following up with success atop Sight Happy for David Hayes, while the latter book ended the card with victories aboard Dennis Yip Chor-hong’s Fury And Gold and I Can for Pierre Ng Pang-chi.