The status quo was maintained in the race to become the local rider at next month’s Longines International Jockeys’ Championship after Vincent Ho Chak-yiu and Jerry Chau Chun-lok both struck at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Heading into the meeting, Ho was one winner ahead of Chau but he wasted no time in extending the advantage when Mabubu made all the running on debut to win the Class Four BOC Cross-Border Services Handicap (1,200m).

Chau managed to wrestle the lead back down to one when the impressive Sky Joy defied barrier 14 to win the Class Three BOC Credit Card Handicap (1,200m) as the cut off at Wednesday’s Happy Valley meeting fast approaches.

By virtue of seconds, if Chau was to ride a winner without reply from Ho on Wednesday, he would advance to the IJC’s local rider slot.

Chau cost himself a chance at a double when being unable to make the weight for Prestige Good in the Class Three BOCHK “Banking TrendyToo” Handicap (2,000m).

Richard Kingscote ended up taking the spare ride and the pair were beaten by just a neck by Winning Wing.

Ryan Moore’s participation in next month’s IJC still hangs in the balance, with the decision expected to be made this coming week.

Wong facing extended lay-off

Britney Wong Po-ni is expected to be on the sidelines for two months after fracturing her shin following an incident in the stalls before section one of the Class Three BOCHK Wealth Management Handicap (1,400m).

The apprentice was in the gates ahead of her ride on Family Knight when the Douglas Whyte-trained galloper reared and became cast when it got its left leg over the starting gate partition.

Wong was transported straight to hospital following the incident, where it was discovered she had fractured her right shin.

Ibis proves Invincible again

Mark Newnham is confident he has another Classic Mile prospect on his hands after Invincible Ibis handled the leap to Class Three with another explosive victory.

Fresh from a dominant success last month, the Hellbent gelding justified $1.55 favouritism with a comfortable success in section one of the BOCHK Wealth Management Handicap under Zac Purton.

“He’s a horse certainly on the improve. Now that he’s stepped up to 1,400m he’s a lot more comfortable, but I think we’ll probably see his best when he gets to a mile,” Newnham said.

Invincible Ibis stormed home from just behind midfield to beat Eighty Light Years by a length.

Newnham believes the four-year-old is showing similar traits to My Wish, his brilliant winner of last season’s Classic Mile, at the same time of their careers.

“He needed to win today to start to boost his rating, but at this stage he looks a suitable horse,” Newnham said in reference to February’s Classic Mile.

“He had a nice, smooth race today. First run in Class Three and did the job well. He didn’t look like he was on empty – he was still strong on the line, so he’ll probably step up to the mile next time.”

Lui lands Winning double

Winning Wing continued his march up the grades at Sha Tin on Sunday, providing a precious success for jockey Dylan Mo Hin-tung and a double for trainer Francis Lui Kin-wai in the BOCHK “Banking TrendyToo” Handicap.

A last-gasp neck winner over course and distance in October, the son of Preferment won by the same margin again, with Mo sitting behind midfield on the fence throughout.

The pair speared off the rail turning into the straight and after grabbing the lead off Prestige Good, Winning Wing was galvanised by Mo to win gamely.

It was a third win of the campaign for Mo and second on Lui’s galloper, with the trainer hoping he can aim even higher with his improving stayer.

“It was a good win. He’s another very honest horse in my stable. I think if he can keep improving then he can make a Class Two horse – there are not many 2,000m horses in Hong Kong,” said Lui.

For Mo, it was an important winner to keep the season ticking over and he was full of praise for Lui.

“I’m very happy to have the chance to ride this horse – the trainer and the owner give me the chance,” said Mo. “To have this support makes it very enjoyable.

“I just try to ride him properly, get in a good rhythm and then the last 400m make a good speed.”

It was the second leg of a double for Lui, who watched Hugh Bowman salute aboard Do Your Part in the first section of the Class Four BOC Life Handicap (1,400m).