Douglas Whyte is keen to end a frustrating period of near misses when he saddles the strong pairing of King Oberon and Goko Win at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.

The South African has enjoyed a strong campaign at the city circuit, sitting third behind Caspar Fownes and Danny Shum Chap-shing for winners at the Valley this season, with eight of his nine winners coming there.

That tally could have been much higher, with the 54-year-old watching a trio of his horses finish second on International Jockeys’ Championship night last week. From the last three meetings, five of his runners have rattled the crossbar.

That could all change on Wednesday, however, with King Oberon looking to bring up a hat-trick in the Class Four Hong Kong Golf Club Centenary Cup (1,200m).

The Divine Prophet galloper took 19 starts to get off the mark, but after a confidence-boosting maiden success at Sha Tin in June, he has taken flight.

Winning a pair of course and distance races in his last two outings, he showed a brilliant attitude to collect the Class Four Fat Tseung Handicap (1,200m) at the Valley in his most recent success.

The handicapper has taken no prisoners and put him up 7lb for that victory, but Whyte is hopeful his new-found confidence can help see him through.

“Confidence is a big booster for him, he was running big races at Sha Tin and then he hit a nice field at Happy Valley and now he’s managed to put another two together,” said Whyte.

“Weight is always a concern in Hong Kong – it’s a handicapping system – but he’s got natural gate speed and he’s had a trial, so he’s pretty fit. Luke [Ferraris] knows him well and he has a few pluses in his favour.

“He’s not a big horse, so weight is always going to be a bit of a concern.”

Whyte will also be hoping Goko Win can pack a punch in section three of the Class Four Albatross Handicap (1,200m), with the Love Conquers All galloper looking for career victory number three in Hong Kong.

A three-time winner in Australia pre-import, he snapped a 27-month losing sequence when justifying $2 favouritism at the Valley in May.

He has shown promise in a pair of starts this season, most recently when having a lot of ground to make up in November, and on Wednesday night he gets the services of Hugh Bowman from stall five.

“He’s been a victim of circumstances this season with draws and races not unfolding correctly for him,” said Whyte. “He’s down in class now and will get his chance. Hugh knows him well and he’ll be rattling home strongly.

“It’s a huge boost [to have Hugh on board] – the horse needs things to go his way as he’s towards the top of the weights. Hugh is always a huge asset.”

Whyte also saddles Camp Fire, Super Elite and Golden Darci on a busy night.