When Jimmy Ting Koon-ho suggests he’s needed “a lot of luck” during a blistering start the season, it’s easy to mark it down as nothing more than a typically humble response from the fourth-season trainer.

But there’s also some truth to it, with the 49-year-old’s numbers suggesting he’s needed a slice of fortune as he’s raced to 11 winner after just 12 meetings.

With just one second and five thirds to go with his 11 victories, Ting is the only trainer with more wins than placings so far this season and he is operating at what is surely an unsustainable ratio.

That’s not to take away from Ting’s start to the season though – he is second in the trainers’ premiership, three wins behind David Hayes, and that certainly does not happen by chance.

Ting has also been the punters’ pal across the opening 12 meetings, with a HK$10 bet on all of his 61 runners returning HK$493.50 to put him well clear of the other trainers.

Even if you’d only backed his 17 starters that have jumped at single figures, you still would have nearly doubled your money.

“I didn’t think I could start this well, I’ve had a lot of luck. I’ve done things the same but I’ve had some luck – whether that’s a good draw or the pace has suited the horses, that’s why the results have been so good,” Ting said before allowing himself a slither of credit.

“You need luck but of course you need the horses to be in form, then you can win – if no form they still cannot win. So we do our best, hope for some luck and some winners.”

It’s surprisingly only Ting’s equal-best start to a campaign after he also had 11 winners after 12 meetings in his debut season in 2018-19 but it is comfortably better than what he’s managed in his past two.

Ting’s 38 victories in his maiden campaign are still his best – he followed up with 35 then dropped to 31 last season – and the lively start has given him the confidence to entertain the idea of a personal-best return.

Jimmy Ting backs Gluck Racer to deliver: ‘otherwise I’ll leave the races with a headache’

“I’m hopeful it can be my best season but while the start has been good, I don’t know if I can keep going or if I’ll stop,” he said.

One runner Ting hopes can help his impressive numbers continue is Kowloon East Star, who finished third at $112 last start after finishing near last on debut on opening day.

The four-year-old has drawn the favourable barrier 14 for the Class Four Egret Handicap (1,000m) and Ruan Maia retains the ride.

“Kowloon East Star missed the start the first time and when he missed the start he didn’t know how to run because he is a front-runner, so he needs a good start,” Ting said. “The second time he got a good start and he ran better and I think he can improve again.”

Ting was hopeful Gluck Racer would draw a better gate after racing too far back on a day where it proved hard to make ground last start, however his progressive galloper has again been lumped with barrier 11 for the Class Three Spoonbill Handicap (1,200m).

Ballistic King has also drawn out wide for his seasonal return, with the honest seven-year-old to jump from gate 12 under Antoine Hamelin in the Class Two Swan Handicap (1,400m).

The son of Commands had run four placings from six starts last season before requiring surgery to remove bone chips in March and Ting fears the end is nigh for his two-time winner.

“Ballistic King has had the leg problems just like My Sugar, he has had the bone chip taken out so his health is still not very good. I hope he can run well but maybe this is his last run due to health issues,” the trainer said.

Ting also saddles up Takingufurther, Kwai Chung Elite, Flying Sword, Easy Fortune, Craig’s Star and A La King.