Christmas came early for Antoine Hamelin on Sunday as the rider ended a season-long drought to collect his 100th win in Hong Kong with a dominant Sha Tin success.

The Frenchman went 31 meetings and 84 rides without a win but reached the personal milestone in sublime style, steering the John Size-trained Raging Blizzard to victory in the red-hot Class Two Poinsettia Handicap (1,200m).

After returning to the winners’ enclosure for the first time since July 10, Hamelin admitted it was a relief to raise the bat before the new year.

“It’s been a while waiting for this one,” Hamelin said. “I knew I was stuck on 99, so it’s even longer when you’re waiting for your 100th. But I’m very happy and grateful.

“It’s a good Christmas gift and the new year is coming soon. I can’t wait and I hope more winners come.”

In a contest with plenty of early speed – the leader Bottomuptogether covered the first 400m around four lengths quicker than the standard time – Hamelin settled $13.5 chance Raging Blizzard towards the rear of the field and one off the rail from barrier five.

After travelling powerfully at the top of the straight, the gelding surged through a gap and flew home in the closing stages to register a two-and-a-quarter-length victory over Gorgeous Win.

Asked how he endured his lengthy spell between victories, Hamelin said he had to stay active to keep himself motivated.

“I managed that by doing sports exercise outside,” Hamelin said. “I need that oxygen, it helped me a lot. It helped me to stay focused and to stay motivated.

“That’s the hardest thing – to stay motivated – and I’m as motivated as ever. The hard time gave me more motivation so I’m still here.”

Ho to return on New Year’s Day

Vincent Ho Chak-yiu will be back in the saddle on New Year’s Day after suffering concussion in a fall on Wednesday night.

Ho was sent flying into the dirt after Super Win Dragon broke down in the Class Three Siu Lek Yuen Handicap (1,200m) during the Sha Tin all-weather meeting.

Ho confirmed he would have been back in the saddle on Boxing Day if not for a two-meeting suspension that will see him miss the cards on December 26 and 29.

“I’m not too bad now, my brain is recovering. I was clearly concussed but so far I’m OK,” Ho told the Post during Sunday’s Sha Tin meeting.

“I’ve started driving today and I don’t have many symptoms, so it’s OK. But I did lose a winner already, [Fire Ball] in the first race, but it is what it is. I can’t do much about that.”

The fall was the latest in a tough run for Ho, who fractured his T5 vertebra in a nasty fall in Japan in July last year and then required finger surgery after another tumble in January.

“It’s been a rough enough year or so,” he said. “But at least I get a Christmas holiday.

“I had already booked all the flights after my suspension, so I will still spend the time away – the neurosurgeon has approved me flying,” added Ho, who will head to Dubai for a few days before returning for the January 1 meeting.

Ho will partner Taj Dragon in the Group Three Chinese Club Challenge Cup (1,400m) on that day, while he is still searching for a ride in the afternoon’s other feature – the Group Three Bauhinia Sprint Trophy (1,000m).

Harmony digs heels in again

The career of Global Harmony is once again very much at the crossroads after the former Hong Kong galloper again refused to jump at Pakenham in Australia on Saturday.

A two-time Hong Kong winner for David Hayes, Global Harmony stood in the gates twice at the start of this year – once at $5 and once at $2.2 – before receiving a ban from racing in the city after refusing to trial at Happy Valley in April.

Having his first start for Hayes’ sons Ben, Will & JD after impressing at the trials, the six-year-old again opted not to take part.

The Hayes’ are hoping for one more chance to get Global Harmony back racing, with stewards confirming they “will now review all relevant material before considering the gelding’s racing future and the nature of any embargo which may be placed against Global Harmony”.

While David Hayes could only watch on as Global Harmony tanked again, his good friends and fellow Hong Kong residents David Price and Jenny Chapman went onto win the race with The Open.