Danny Shum Chap-shing dominated Happy Valley with a four-timer on Wednesday night, while Hugh Bowman carried on his Hong Kong Derby-winning form with a treble.

Shum cruised to 41 winners for the season to take third place in the trainers’ championship, just two wins behind leader Caspar Fownes and one behind Mark Newnham.

Regaining second in the jockeys’ championship, Bowman boosted his winning tally to 44 for the season after a quiet period before victory in last Sunday’s Derby aboard Invincible Ibis.

“It goes in roundabouts. You sort of have quiet periods, and you have good periods, and it was really special to win the Derby,” Bowman said.

“I felt as though in the last month I’ve just had sort of one or two good rides a meeting, whereas I felt coming to this Wednesday night and the coming Sunday, I’ve got more rides that are capable of figuring in the finish. It’s a bit easier to get more focus for those days when you know in advance that they’re coming.”

Bowman’s treble consisted of Motor, Beauty Viva and Joyful Prosperity. Motor started at odds of $15.75 but defied expectations when accelerating strongly to knock off the $1.7 favourite King Profit right on the line in the third section of the Class Four Kwai Chung Handicap (1,200m).

The son of Fastnet Rock emerged as a winning contender at the 150m and saluted accordingly at his first start at Happy Valley.

“I thought Motor was a really good chance, actually. He gave me the feel of a horse that could win a race very soon when he had no luck at Sha Tin recently, so that was quite satisfying,” Bowman said.

The Tony Cruz-trained Beauty Viva enjoyed his first win in Hong Kong when saluting in the second section of the Class Four Tsuen Wan Handicap (1,650m) after being given a perfect trip from barrier one by Bowman.

Bowman believes the switch to the city circuit was just what the five-year-old needed.

“He’s a horse I’ve ridden in the last two starts. Tony said, ‘I might try Happy Valley’, so I thought that might just stimulate him because I feel like he’s got far more talent than his form suggests. I thought he’s raced with a bit more purpose today – so that might be the beginning of an upward spiral for him,” Bowman said.

Shum kicked off the night by taking out the first two races with Joyful Prosperity and Win Method, and went on to bookend the night with Jerry Chau Chun-lok who rode a race-to-race double on Without Compare and My Day My Way.

A sustained wide run saw Joyful Prosperity claim the Class Five Tuen Mun Handicap (2,200m), with the Japanese-bred galloper able to turn his form around with a class drop and step up in distance for the first time this season.

Win Method made it back-to-back wins for Shum when taking out the first section of the Class Four Tsuen Wan Handicap. The three-year-old had the race won in the first 800m where he was able to back off the speed from the front and sprint home strongly from the turn.

Shum is looking forward to seeing how the Written Tycoon galloper can progress with age and distance.

“His body weight is back where I wanted it to be. He suits the 1,650m well and could even go over 1,800m. As a four-year-old he will be even better. He can have a bright future at Happy Valley,” Shum said.

A mid-race move from Chau saw Without Compare loop the field, find the front and fight solidly to score by a neck from Keefy.

My Day My Way took advantage of Amazing Kid being caught three wide and followed him into the final race, finishing over the top by a neck from Greater Bae.

Elsewhere, Giant Ballon put in another dominant performance when powering home to score by three lengths with Zac Purton on board for Douglas Whyte, who was suitably impressed by his back-to-back wins.

“I think he’s got a lot of confidence from that last win and clearly Zac knows him. He has come on, he’s improved, and he showed that tonight. He’s a nice immature horse on the upgrade,” Whyte said.

“Last time he won well, but I didn’t think he’d win with that margin today. He’s done a good job – he’s a horse with some good potential.”

Purton also secured a double after winning earlier on Honest Witness, whose connections had eagerly anticipated a win for their black and green colours after a long time between drinks.

Arthur Antonio da Silva, who also owned the legendary Silent Witness, was thrilled to be back in the winners’ circle once again.

“I’ve waited two and a half years for a winner with those famous colours of mine. It’s been that long since Nervous Witness won; we’ve had a lot of bad luck,” da Silva said.

“Zac told me this horse lacked confidence and he needs the rail. He got the rail today, he led by two and a half lengths going into the straight and bounced away. I’m so happy.”