Hot Delight stamped his credentials as a serious Classic Series contender when taking out the Class Two Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholarships Handicap (1,200m) with Vincent Ho Chak-yiu aboard at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Francis Lui Kin-wai’s Too Darn Hot galloper has catapulted through the ratings since his debut in January, beginning off a mark of 52 in Class Four company before winning at Class Two level as an 82-rater on Sunday.

The three-year-old was unbeaten at his first three starts before placing fourth at his last run, but was back in the winner’s circle after overcoming a wide draw to score by three quarters of a length over Magic Control.

Although trapped three wide, Ho was able to obtain cover throughout, and with Victor The Winner leading and favourite Rising Force held up in a pocket, Hot Delight descended strongly down the centre of the track to score.

“He’s an honest horse and I think his quality is very good. He got a bad draw last time and maybe the jockey didn’t know him as well – Vincent knows him really well and he got a good position and had him travelling well,” Lui said.

“Vincent said he was really happy with how he performed. If he can improve, I think he has very good potential. I think we can plan backwards from the Classic Series now – he’s our first choice for the race.”

Meanwhile, Ricky Yiu Poon-fai brought up his 1,100th winner in Hong Kong in the first leg of a double after Chill Buddy won with Jerry Chau Chun-lok on board, followed by Chill Easy with Joao Moreira in the saddle.

The 2019-20 champion trainer joined an elite club of only five handlers to reach the milestone. After a decorated career that has seen Yiu win multiple Group Ones, as well as the Triple Crown with Voyage Bubble, the veteran trainer was incredibly humble when speaking about the rare achievement.

“I’ve been training here for over 30 years, so for the period of time I’ve been a trainer – I can make it there. If I only had 20 years, I wouldn’t have made it,” Yiu said.

Dennis Yip Chor-hong also recorded a double on Sunday thanks to the promising Master Payment and Top To Sky.

Master Payment was impressive when winning the first section of the Class Four HKU Faculties of Dentistry and Social Sciences Handicap (1,200m) by a length and a half over Next Fortune under Zac Purton.

The three-year-old stepped up in trip on Sunday after two starts for two seconds over 1,000m to begin his career. Making full use of barrier one by jumping fast and holding the lead, the big son of Hanseatic kicked clear inside the last 300m to win in superb style.

Top To Sky gave Yip the first leg of his double in the Class Five HKU Business School And Faculty Of Engineering Handicap (1,400m) with Ethan Brown on board. The El Roca gelding went into the race unplaced from 10 career starts and delivered for punters when brown-lamped into $22.

Going forward from gate seven, Top To Sky sat outside the leader Mazing Grace before hitting the front at the top of the straight and fighting on well to hold off a late challenge from Winning Machine to win by a short head.

Yip credited the yielding track to the victory and is looking forward to seeing the four-year-old improve after a slow start to his career.

“I was a little bit surprised to see him win this way, but I think the ground is maybe soft after a little bit of rain and good for the horses in front. Last start he was drawn outside but he still finished well. Hopefully he improves because he’s still a green horse,” Yip said.

“[Brown’s] done the job – a good job. After trackwork he told me the horse is in good form, but it’s hard to compare in the race. His work in the mornings is always good but in races he’s not consistent – maybe now he will improve.”

Top To Sky also provided Brown with his first win at Sha Tin during the Australian’s three-month stint in the city after scoring twice at the city circuit.

“I’ve come close [to winning at Sha Tin] a couple of times, but it’s certainly good to get the monkey off the back,” Brown said.

“It’s tough, but we’re persisting and getting support from plenty of trainers and it’s good to get a winner today to keep the ball rolling.”

Mark Newnham drew level with Danny Shum Chap-shing on 57 winners for the season, four wins behind championship-leading trainer Caspar Fownes, with the triumph of Ace in the Class Four HKU Heritage Handicap (1,600m).

The four-year-old secured his second win for the season and first in Class Four company thanks to the application of blinkers for the first time, an inside draw of barrier three and a step up in distance – alongside a super steer from Chau, who clinched a brace when guiding Chill Easy to victory later on the card.

“Jerry rode the perfect race – that was the position we wanted. From a good barrier, up to 1,600m and the blinkers on, he had the right set-up to win. Jerry carried it out,” Newnham said.

“A lack of concentration has been a trait of his – he got away with it in Class Five, but I wanted to give him another couple of races to see if he’d switched on yet. Last time he ran on a wet track it didn’t suit him, but I thought today was the right day to go with the blinkers – he’s had a few races now and it just helped him travel in a better position.

“He’s a big strong horse who does well in the stable and pulls up well after each run, so there’s probably another run in him.”

Joao Moreira also picked up a double thanks to Yiu’s Chill Buddy, and Love Together for Caspar Fownes in the Class Three HKU Foundation Handicap (1,000m).