He enjoyed a Christmas break and a family wedding at home, but Australian jockey Brenton Avdulla is back and “ready to get stuck into it” with four rides at Happy Valley on Thursday night.

Winless from two meetings since returning to Hong Kong, Avdulla is hoping to bounce back on an eight-race programme that sees Classic Series contender Howdeepisyourlove headline his book in the Class Two Albatross Handicap (1,200m).

Howdeepisyourlove was a four-time winner last term and hit the line with plenty of conviction to finish third under Avdulla in his first-up effort over Happy Valley’s 1,200m on November 29.

“I thought he ran really well,” Avdulla said. “If anything, he probably just found the 1,200m a fraction sharp first up against some fit horses.

“They went along at a good speed and he got into a little bit of trouble late, which probably cost him running second. I thought it was a good kick off for him. He did everything right and he’s trialled in between. It looks like he’s in good order.”

Howdeepisyourlove is currently the second highest-rated four-year-old in Hong Kong on 96 – behind Season’s Wit on 99 – and Avdulla suspects a trip to the Classic Mile on February 4 could be on the agenda.

“He’s a pretty genuine horse and he’s a good talent, so I’ve got no doubt he’ll continue to improve,” Avdulla said. “He was Champion Griffin and he’s going the right way, so we’ll probably get him ready for the four-year-old series.

“I think the mile is probably the way he’s going. He’ll probably go to a 1,400m [race] after it, but I’m not going to tell Sizey where to place them.”

Avdulla has slipped out of the top 10 in the championship after taking some time away from the track but aims to be back in the winners’ enclosure on the midweek card.

“Hopefully, we can hit the back of the net a couple of times. Fingers crossed that can start again on Thursday,” Avdulla said. “There’s a few people away or suspended and that’s just what you need here. You need to be in the right spot at the right time and hope the little things go your way.”

Avdulla will reunite with Act Of Faith after they snared the Class Four Balmoral Castle Handicap (1,200m) on November 29, while he will also partner Kowloon East Star and Travel Golf.

Bentley raring to go ahead of Happy Valley return: ‘It’s been a long few weeks’

Travel Golf, who contests the first section of Class Four Lark Handicap (1,200m), was no match for impressive debutant Golden Long in the Class Four Kwun Tong Handicap (1,200m) on December 13.

The Frankie Lor Fu-chuen-trained Golden Long emphatically brushed aside his rivals and will aim to maintain his unbeaten record when he lines up the second section of the Lark Handicap.