Derek Leung Ka-chun hopes Voyage Samurai can overcome his wide draw as he bids for career win number six in the Class Two Cheung Sha Handicap (1,650m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.

The 36-year-old has been on board for all five of Voyage Samurai’s victories, most recently when the pair dominated from gate to wire to win a 1,600m Class Two at Sha Tin in April.

As with most of Voyage Samurai’s wins, Leung controlled the fractions to a tee before unleashing a powerful turn of foot from the Dissident galloper to fend off any late bursts from his rivals.

Frankie Lor Fu-chuen’s five-year-old will need to do it the hard way on his maiden Happy Valley run, drawing gate seven of nine, but Leung is confident of bouncing back from a below-par run at Sha Tin last time where he had excuses.

“I think 1,800m probably stretched him a bit last time and he has a bad draw to overcome this time,” said Leung. “He has trialled well though and has been performing well.

“His first run at the Valley won’t be easy because of the draw but I hope he can win again. It won’t be easy but he’s consistent and not fully exposed yet.”

Leung has several strong chances on the city circuit’s Wednesday card, including Prestige Always in the Class Three Sheung Shui Handicap (1,650m).

The Pierre Ng Pang-chi-trained four-year-old posted his best run since a win on seasonal reappearance when third over track and distance last time – his first attempt at the 1,650m trip.

And in the concluding Class Three Cheung Sheung Handicap (1,200m), Leung rides Very Grateful for Cody Mo Wai-kit, who made a promising debut over course and distance last month.

“Prestige Always ran well last time over this course and distance but he also has a bad draw to overcome,” said Leung.

“Thankfully Very Grateful has drawn the inside barrier. His debut was very good and hopefully I can use the draw to get a good position. He will hopefully improve from his first start.”

Leung sits on the 28-winner mark for the campaign and is eight behind Matthew Poon Ming-fai, who leads the way in the Tony Cruz Award standings for the leading home-grown rider.

He also sits three winners behind Matthew Chadwick in the race for second and with both of those riders suspended on Wednesday, Leung is not giving up hope of a late surge to overhaul them – no matter how tough the going is.

“I’m eight winners behind, but you never know – I’m chasing hard,” laughed Leung. “I still have my eyes on the prize and with the great support of trainers and owners, I will just keep trying to ride as many winners as possible.”

The city circuit has been a happy hunting ground for Leung recently, with the rider winning the Jockey Challenge at two of the past three meetings.

Two meetings ago Leung rode a brilliant treble headlined by the last-gasp success of Gracious Express, while his prior Jockeys Challenge win saw him pinch the spoils despite not riding a winner.