Luke Ferraris is hoping a good night at Happy Valley on Wednesday can strengthen his claim to a coveted spot at the Longines International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) next month.

The 23-year-old is enjoying a sterling campaign and is currently level on 13 wins with Hugh Bowman in second in the jockeys’ premiership, although he is narrowly behind him on countback by virtue of second-place finishes.

Only one of the pair will be able to claim a spot in the IJC on December 10 after the Jockey Club reduced the amount of berths in the competition for Hong Kong-based riders from four to three.

Zac Purton is guaranteed a place thanks to winning last season’s premiership, while the highest-ranked home-grown rider and the jockey who sits second in the title race after the Valley meeting on November 26 will also secure their places.

The IJC is top of the wish list for Ferraris and he will be giving it everything as he attempts to break in for the first time.

“I’ve been chasing the IJC since I’ve been here but I’ve always just fallen short,” said Ferraris. “Now that they’ve reduced it to two spots I’m in the same position again – I’m sitting second and I’ve got Bowman breathing down my neck.

“I’ll do what I can to get in and hopefully it’s good enough, but I’ll be pretty disappointed if it’s not. We’ll give it our best.”

A big night at the city circuit on Wednesday would go a long way to giving Ferraris some separation from Bowman and he is looking forward to a pair of last-start winners who could do some damage.

The first of those is King Oberon, who goes in section one of the Class Four Fat Tseung Handicap (1,200m) for trainer Douglas Whyte.

He opened his Happy Valley account three weeks ago, always sitting handy under Ferraris before showing a willing attitude to get up in the straight and fend off a late challenger.

He has barrier nine to overcome, as well as a 6lb hike in the weights, but Ferraris is hoping his raw speed can get him in the perfect position to pounce once again.

“He’s got a deeper draw but he does have good tactical speed, so if we can put that to use and put him in a good spot, he’s obviously in good form and hopefully his finish is as good as last time,” said Ferraris.

His other last-start winner is King Glorioso, who bids to double his Hong Kong tally in section two of the Fat Tseung Handicap.

Also trained by Douglas Whyte, he opened his account in Hong Kong when scrambling in to beat a fast-finishing Thunder Prince by a nose last month.

A 5lb rise for that performance does not make things totally straightforward, especially after a tough race, but Ferraris is hoping his willing partner can give him his all once more.

“His win was good but I hope it hasn’t taken too much out of him because I felt like I got the most out of him that day,” said Ferraris.

“It’s a fair draw and he’s an honest horse, so if he can get a similar run to last time hopefully he can give a similar account of himself. He’s obviously up in weight, which will make it harder.”