Britney Wong Po-ni’s road to Happy Valley has been longer than most apprentice jockeys in recent times, but the 26-year-old is confident she now has the street smarts needed to negotiate the tight-turning city circuit.

Initially hesitant to tackle the testing track where staying cool and calculated in heavy traffic is a must – jockeys must be given approval to ride at the course by Jockey Club management – Wong’s self-belief has built gradually through 249 rides and 23 winners at Sha Tin.

Buoyed by her biggest career win at Sha Tin last weekend, where she expertly directed Sagacious Life through the field to salute at Class Two level, Wong believes she heads to Happy Valley ready for the challenge.

“I hope I handle it well. I’ve got a fair bit of experience on the track now, so I think I should be all right,” said Wong, confirming she has been trying to develop her skills by moving away from the traditional front-running horses claimers so often find themselves aboard.

“I’m trying my best to take some other different rides with a different racing style.

“I’m very grateful for all the opportunities the trainers and owners have given me. Their trust in me has given me confidence to do my thing. I really appreciate that.”

That being said, Wong is pleased her first competitive outing at Happy Valley lands on the track’s only day meeting of the season and that she will team up with some “pretty straightforward rides”.

“In a day meeting it’s similar to my routine for the last year, so I think that will help and I’m very excited,” she said.

“There’s nothing too complicated among my rides, so that will help. I’m looking forward to it.”

The one mount among her five-strong book that Wong immediately gravitates towards is the Manfred Man Ka-leung-trained Juicy Dragon.

Ineffectual through three Sha Tin starts to begin his career, Juicy Dragon looked comfortable at Happy Valley when leading all the way under Wong to take out a recent trial by four lengths.

Drawn gate four for the first section of the Class Four Foshan Handicap (1,200m), Juicy Dragon looks well placed to make use of Wong’s seven-pound claim on Sunday.

“He looks pretty straightforward to me and I actually trialled him last time at Happy Valley,” said Wong. “He is happy to be up there on the speed. That’s what he did in the trial and I hope he can put that performance up again on Sunday.”

Wong also teams up with familiar faces Lean Master and Frantanck.

“At least a lot of my rides are horses that I know, so I’m very comfortable heading into Sunday,” she said.

Wong’s other chances to add to her five winners so far this season are Macanese Master and Lucky Planet.