Hugh Bowman has made a strong start to the Year of the Snake with five winners from two meetings and he’s hopeful an equally in-form galloper can help him keep the ball rolling at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Raging Blizzard enters the Class One TVB Cup (1,200m) on the back of consecutive Class Two successes, with the underrated galloper driving his rating up to 104 after six victories from 13 career starts.

“His last two runs, he’s won with authority,” said Bowman of the John Size-trained Raging Blizzard. “I’d like to think he’s going to this race with the same sort of form.

“He’s a horse that does enjoy coming off the back of an extreme speed and I’m not sure if the pace looks quite as hectic as it maybe was for his last outing, but it will be still be quick enough for him to find his comfortable running position.

“You’ve got to leave him alone early and if they go quick enough up front, he’s got an excellent finish on him and the gaps do appear if they’ve gone fast. Last time was especially fast – the opposition – and let’s hope they do the same thing.

“His form is there for everyone to see and his last two wins have been really authoritative and let’s hope he can do it again.”

Bowman was aboard for Raging Blizzard’s neck success over Gorgeous Win last start and that pair meet again, with Gorgeous Win since delivering as the $1.5 favourite in a Class Two over 1,200m on January 26.

Copartner Prance also butters up again after running third behind Raging Blizzard and Gorgeous Win, while Taj Dragon, Lucky With You and Magic Control all step down from Group company for the contest.

Away from Sunday’s Class One sprint, there are a swag of Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) entrants out to boost their claims for a spot in the city’s most prestigious race, including the Caspar Fownes-trained Sky Trust in the Class Three TVB The Fading Gold Handicap (1,400m).

“He’s drawn barrier one, which is a great asset, but he’s a bit of a quirky horse. He’s quite an aggressive galloper and he needs to relax, so it’s just important that he gets smothered up,” said Bowman.

“He needs to relax and get in a rhythm and then he’s got a really strong finish. He’s a model of consistency, but he’s still improving mentally and continues to do so with each start.

“He will get further but it’s important that he learns how to race properly and once that happens, I can see him climbing through the ratings points.”

Bowman also rides four-year-old series hopeful Lo Rider for Fownes in the Class Three TVB Midlife, Sing & Shine 3 Handicap (1,800m), with the son of Harzand looking to strike for the first time in Hong Kong after racing without luck in consecutive sevenths to begin his career in the city.

Fight Time, Charming Babe, Great State and Gracious Express round out Bowman’s weekend hand.