Ellis Wong Chi-wang paid tribute to his boss Caspar Fownes, the Jockey Club’s Apprentice Jockeys’ School and his family after graduating to Hong Kong’s senior riding ranks with his 70th local win at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.

The 25-year-old completed his apprenticeship with a last-gasp win on Lucky Generations in the Class Five Bowen Handicap (1,200m), lifting the Fownes-trained gelding to a short-head victory over champion jockey Zac Purton’s mount Oriental Surprise.

A graduate of the Jockey Club’s Apprentice Jockeys’ School, Wong rode 88 winners in his overseas training stint in Australia before returning to Hong Kong in 2023.

“I’m so happy I can ride this winner for my boss,” Wong said. “This is a special feeling, and he is a very good teacher and I want to thank Amy [Chan Lim-chee, the Apprentice Jockeys’ School headmistress] and the Apprentice Jockeys’ School and, of course, my family for all their support.

“I appreciate everything they have done for me. When I started riding in Hong Kong, I didn’t really understand the pace or the tactics here but Caspar and everyone taught me a lot and I started to feel more comfortable.”

Fownes was like a proud father on Wednesday night and is adamant Wong will continue to improve in the saddle.

“He’s so deserving of that and I’m very proud of him. He’s come a long way and worked very hard,” said Fownes.

“I’ve always believed in him and we’ve always given him opportunities. I honestly think he’s going to make it in the jockey ranks in the years going forward. He can only improve and it’s also great that we’re going to have Jo [Moreira] in our stable in the last three months to help him and teach him a few things. He’s a great kid.”

Wong, whose claim will drop from 5lb to 3lb as a result of moving to a freelance licence, is in the midst of a strong campaign with Lucky Generations his 19th triumph of the season.

It also helped Fownes increase his lead in the trainers’ championship to two wins over Mark Newnham, with David Hayes jumping to second after Soleil Fighter’s victory in the Class Two Magazine Gap Handicap (1,800m).

Sent to the front by Hugh Bowman from the inside draw, Soleil Fighter notched his first win in 12 months when he held off Huge Wave by three-quarters of a length.

“He’s such a good Happy Valley horse. In England, he did win over 1,800m so I thought with the small field, if he got an easy run, he would be hard to catch,” Hayes said.

“This season I think he’d won over HK$2 million with no wins. Now he’s won, he’s up to nearly HK$4 million, so it’s wonderful.”

Elsewhere on the Valley card, Danny Shum Chap-shing bagged a massive 698-1 double courtesy of Legend Star in the second section of the Class Four Kennedy Handicap (1,200m) and My Day My Way in the first section of the Class Three Wan Chai Gap Handicap (1,200m).

Legend Star defied his $22.85 quote with Angus Chung Yik-lai on board to score his second win in his past three starts.

My Day My Way, a beaten $3 favourite on his previous start, bounced back as a $30.6 chance under Lyle Hewitson.

Chung joined Shum with a brace after also booting home Tony Cruz’s Outgate in the second section of the Class Three Wan Chai Gap Handicap.

Jerry Chau Chun-lok capped a big month when he guided Stormi to a third consecutive triumph in the Class Four Robinson Handicap (1,650m).

The Cody Mo Wai-kit-trained gelding completed a hat-trick when he made all once again, holding off Amazing Award by three-quarters of a length.

“It was a tough effort, we got a smooth lead and he’s getting more mature and settling down during the race, and when he was challenged, he fought back really well,” Chau said after recording his ninth victory in February.

“He’s improved with every race and he gets himself into a good rhythm.”