Lyle Hewitson is adamant Yellowfin can record a career-best win when the consistent galloper returns in Wednesday night’s Class Two Deep Water Bay Handicap (1,650m) at Happy Valley.

The Francis Lui Kin-wai-trained gelding was a model of consistency last season, racking up wins on each of Hong Kong’s three surfaces as well as five placings from his 12 starts.

After notching three wins at Class Three level, Yellowfin handled the leap to Class Two when running second in each of his final three starts last campaign.

He clashes again with most of the rivals he faced in his past two starts when runner-up to Outgate and Woodfire Bro over 1,650m at the city circuit.

Hewitson has unwavering faith in Yellowfin, whose four career victories have all been with the South African jockey on board.

“You just know he’s going to show up every time,” Hewitson said.

“I think sometimes, myself included, you sort of underplay him a little bit and he raises his game and just runs a good race, no matter what course and distance. It’s always a pleasure to be aboard him and hopefully he continues on his good ways of last season.”

After firing fresh to start last campaign on a winning note over 1,400m at Sha Tin, Yellowfin rose from a rating of 64 to 87.

“Unfortunately he doesn’t get rewarded [for his consistency] because he keeps going up without winning,” Hewitson said.

“He’s deserved all of those points because he obviously just keeps performing. In his wake, he’s had some really nice horses behind him. He can certainly up his game when he’s required to and I just hope he can get his nose in front once again.”

Hewitson is wary of Yellowfin’s rivals in what shapes as the highlight of Wednesday night’s eight-race card at the Valley.

They include Danny Shum Chap-shing’s trio Moments In Time, Helene Feeling and Chill Chibi and the Tony Cruz-trained pair, Outgate and Red Hare King.

While he plans to ride Yellowfin on the speed from barrier six, Hewitson said the six-year-old’s versatility gives him options.

“I’ve won on him from behind them, from one-off, from in front,” Hewitson said.

“I think he’s a tempo-based horse, so he’ll be forward and ridden positively and then depending on how the shape of the race maps out, we’ll have to decide our position. It looks like there’s a bit of speed in there and it’s a very good race, very competitive. So I think whoever gets the best run should get the best opportunity.”

Yellowfin warmed up for his return with a close second to Sing Dragon in a trial on Sha Tin’s all-weather track on September 7.

Moments In Time drops in grade after running second to Chancheng Glory over 1,600m in a Class One at Sha Tin’s season finale last campaign. He is a two-time Happy Valley winner.

Zac Purton jumps back on Helene Feeling, a two-time course and distance winner, while Chill Chibi scored three course and distance victories last season.

Outgate struck career-best form last term with three wins – two of which were at the course and distance of Wednesday night’s race. Red Hare King steps up to Class Two for the first time after three 1,650m victories at the Valley last season.