Two big names made early statements, an accomplished trainer hit the ground running after a wretched campaign last season and Super Typhoon Ragasa forced one meeting to be abandoned in an eventful opening month of the new season.

The Post analyses the jockeys and trainers who had a September to remember or one to forget, as well as the most outstanding victory and winning ride.

Who’s hot?

It was business as usual for Zac Purton after he bagged a five-timer at the opening meeting of the season en route to 10 winners for September at a healthy strike rate of 20.8 per cent.

The champion jockey doubled the next best rider’s tally, with Hugh Bowman booting home five winners at 16.7 per cent.

Caspar Fownes has made his intentions clear – he is eager to chase a fifth trainers’ championship after racing to the early lead in the title race with seven winners.

A four-timer at his favourite track, Happy Valley, was the highlight of Fownes’ month and he boasts a strong strike rate of 19.4 per cent.

Danny Shum Chap-shing and Mark Newnham also made strong starts with six winners each, while Jamie Richards has the second best strike rate of all trainers – 21.7 per cent – after turning around his misfortunes from last term with five winners.

Who’s not?

Matthew Poon Ming-fai’s winning drought from last season has carried over into the start of the new campaign, with the reigning Tony Cruz Award winner currently on a staggering 107 rides without a win.

His last victory was back on June 4 at Happy Valley and five seconds in September would only have added to his frustration.

While three trainers are yet to get off the mark, Pierre Ng Pang-chi is perhaps a surprise name on that list given he is renowned for making a fast start to his campaigns.

Ng has had the most runners of the handlers searching for their first victory of the term with 41.

Win of the month

Sky Trust won by the biggest margin of the season so far, but it was the fact he did so on his return from a second throat operation that made the victory even more impressive.

Resuming without a trial, the Fownes-trained gelding took advantage of barrier three and a soft run in the box seat to crush his rivals in the Class Three KPMG 80th Anniversary Cup (1,200m).

He collared leader Wonderstar at the 200m and drew clear to bolt in by three lengths under Ellis Wong Chi-wang.

Same To You’s incredible upset victory from last on the turn was also one of the best performances in September.

Ride of the month

Jerry Chau Chun-lok produced a peach of a ride to lift Lucky Sam Gor to victory at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Set a task from gate 14, the Mark Newnham-trained gelding was eased back to second last by Chau and stood the leaders a considerable margin when last on the turn.

Chau opted to save a bit of ground instead of heading to the outside, spearing Lucky Sam Gor through a gap between several rivals to launch his run down the centre of the track.

Chau timed his run to perfection as the son of Press Statement sprinted powerfully to soar past Blazing Wukong at the 50m mark for an impressive victory.

Luke Ferraris’ patience on My Wish in Sunday’s Group Three Celebration Cup (1,400m) and Lyle Hewitson’s effort to help Ninja Derby make all from gate 14 were also top rides from the opening month.