Harry Bentley heads to Happy Valley on Wednesday night in strong form and in the midst of one of his best months of the season after snaring Sunday night’s Sha Tin finale aboard Flying Fortress.

Flying Fortress’ victory in a hot Class Three Amethyst Handicap (1,400m) was Bentley’s fourth for June and left him on the verge of breaking into the top 10 in the jockeys’ premiership with 29 successes for the season.

“It was a great result. He’s been running well, obviously having won a couple of starts back over the Valley 1,650m, but I think it was a good move bringing him back down to 1,400m at Sha Tin,” said Bentley of Cody Mo Wai-kit’s four-year-old, who finished strongly to see off a string of more-fancied rivals and defy his $33.75 quote.

“He’s not fiercely keen or anything over 1,650m but he can just slightly take a grip and perhaps use a bit too much energy in doing so. The pace over 1,400m really suited him and he battled it out well.

“It was a hot race with some decent horses coming through like Dazzling Fit and Super Express, so I knew it was a tough ask going in. But fair play to the horse, he won with no fluke so it gives me a bit of confidence going forward.

“I’m pleased to be able to keep a bit of momentum going the past few weeks and months.”

Among Bentley’s chances of maintaining that momentum at the midweek meeting are Danny Shum Chap-shing’s last-start winner Wrote A New Page in the Class Four Lancashire Handicap (1,650m) and the Me Tsui Yu-sak-trained Everstar, who is looking to build on a recent placing in the Class Three Selkirk Handicap (1,200m).

“We’ve got to beat California Moxie, who’s in good form and is pretty consistent, but I think Wrote A New Page has got improvement in him,” said Bentley of his mount, who carries 133lb from gate seven.

“He’s a lightly raced horse, he’s still a colt and he’s a strong horse, so he can certainly shoulder the weight. That’s not going to be an issue. He’s certainly progressing and the trip suits him well. He stays out the distance easily and he can get further.

“Everstar is probably my next best ride. He’s another horse who is pretty consistent and doesn’t seem to get beaten too far. He ran well last time from a good gate and I’d expect him to run another decent race off that low weight [of 118lb] and with gate five.”

Bentley has seven meetings to add to his 29 wins so far this campaign, with the jockey happy enough with a season that has featured a Group Three victory aboard Helene Feeling but hasn’t quite reached the heights of last term, which saw the 33-year-old bag his best Hong Kong win tally of 39.

“I would have loved a few more wins than I’ve had. I’m always striving to get the tally up. Overall I’m pretty happy but there’s definitely room for improvement for next season,” he said.