Lyle Hewitson and James Orman have been two of the surprise packages of the season and the pair have some excellent chances to keep their respective runs going at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Hewitson sits on 15 winners for the season and he will rely on Akashvani to add another win to his tally when he runs in the fiercely competitive Class Three Stanley Gap Handicap (1,400m).

In a race that will shape the Classic Mile conversation, he takes on the the likes of Helene Supafeeling and Circuit Grand Slam on the back of a luckless fifth over 1,200m at Sha Tin when he was badly hampered on the turn for home.

The two-time winner now stretches out in trip for trainer David Hayes and Hewitson is excited to climb back aboard for the first time since October.

“I’m really happy to get back on him. I’ve done a lot of work on him before and had won and placed on him numerous times,” said Hewitson.

“I’ve always thought the 1,400m trip would be one that will suit him – it’s just frustrating that he has drawn out [in stall 13]. He’ll need his rating to go up for the Classic Series but this is the next step for him.”

Hewitson also likes the chances of the Douglas Whyte-trained Strathpeffer, who he won on two starts ago and heads for the second section of the Class Four Wu Kau Tang Handicap (1,400m).

He followed up that success with a battling second behind Super Love and the South African is expecting another bold bid despite a less than ideal draw in stall 10.

“He’s such a tough and honest horse. He doesn’t have a nice draw but he’s a horse that has been posted three wide and still kept coming in runs before,” said Hewitson.

“I thought last time he was a bit unlucky, we were held up a bit in the straight and he still found the line well. He’s maintaining his form well and I was happy with how he trialled at Conghua.”

Orman is another jockey catching attention and the Australian has surged to 12 winners for the campaign with a consistent string of winners.

He gets the leg up once again on the enigmatic Ever Luck, who sports cheek pieces for the first time in the first section of the Class Four Wu Kai Sha Handicap (1,200m) for trainer Mark Newnham.

He was a well-backed favourite on debut but ran off the track dramatically on the home turn – which looked to have ruined his chance – but he surged home impressively to win in eye-catching fashion.

Beaten at $1.5 since when second to Majestic Valour, Orman is confident of a big showing from his mount.

“I think he was a bit unlucky on debut, it was his first start in a race and he won’t be doing it again,” said Orman.

“He ran well the other day, he got a lot of pressure up front and I kicked along on the inside to hold my lead but he kept getting a lot of pressure which softened him up late.

“He’s had a bit of time between his runs this time and spent time out in Conghua. Before his debut, he spent time there and just came back for the actual race so I think he’s set up well.”