Caspar Fownes continued his brilliant start to the season, taking over at the top of the trainers’ premiership with a brilliant Happy Valley four-timer spearheaded by Lo Rider’s win in the feature Class Two Shek O Handicap (1,650m) on Wednesday night.

Fourth in last season’s Hong Kong Derby (2,000m), Lo Rider had no problem with a drop with the extended Valley mile on his return to action, always sitting handy under Harry Bentley in the run.

Peeled into the centre of the track on the turn, the pair motored home and won cosily by three-quarters of a length.

“It’s pretty good, it’s half the card so very happy,” Fownes said after soaring to six winners for the season.

“I thought I’d have a good night coming here tonight, but racing is racing and you always need some luck.

“I’m very happy, especially for the last winner because the owner gets a big bonus and it was the horse’s first time at Happy Valley, so it was very nice to see a great effort.

“I’m very proud of [Lo Rider], he’s a horse nice horse and hopefully he’s a chance to continue on.”

Rocket Spade scooped the other big race on the card – the Class Three Community Chest Cup (1,650m) – for Fownes under Hugh Bowman.

He made a winning return after a midfield trip, quickening well in the straight to mow down Star Contact by a neck.

Fownes also scooped the opening two races in partnership with apprentice Ellis Wong Chi-wang on a night to remember.

Wong, 24, ended last season in rampant form and got off the mark for the season when Silver Spurs went from wire-to-wire in the Class Five Chung Hom Kok Handicap (1,000m).

Silver Spurs always travelled comfortably on the front end and his backers only had a small moment of worry when the riderless Spicy So Smart, who unshipped Matthew Chadwick at the start, came across him late on.

That did not faze Wong nor Silver Spurs, with the jockey hinting at a step up in grade post race.

“I had the loose horse on my outside that hung in, if he hadn’t maybe I would have won by more,” said Wong. “He closed really well, I think a 1,200m Class Four will be no problem.”

There was further joy for Wong 30 minutes later when Mighty Commander lashed home to land the second section of the Class Four Ho Mei Handicap (1,200m).

Always travelling well in midfield, Wong peeled his mount out off the turn and the pair surged home to win by a comfortable length and a quarter.

“I’m very happy, especially to win for my boss Caspar – I’m really happy he gave me the chance on this horse today. He drew good and the horse showed his class,” added Wong.

The drop in trip proved to be an inspired decision by Fownes, who had his horse just where he wanted him.

“It was a good effort, the soft draw has really helped tonight. His trial was really good – normally he’s a miler but I just kept him on the fresh side and picked this race out for him,” said Fownes.

“They stacked it up a little but he was just in behind and came to the outside well.”

There was also a double for jockey Karis Teetan, who helped Forever Folks overcome a woeful start to win the Class Four Lido Handicap (1,800m).

Forever Folks missed the break by four lengths but quickly caught up to the back of the pack and after the leaders shot their bolts, Teetan galvanised his mount to pass the entire field in the straight and win going away.

Both of Teetan’s winners were trained by Danny Shum Chap-shing, with Master Champion delivering doubles to both jockey and trainer in the first section of the Hoi Mei Handicap.