A day of trebles for Ho, Bowman and Newnham

HONG KONG - Vincent Ho completed preparations for his defence of the Longines International Jockeys' Championship (IJC) at Happy Valley on Dec 4 with a treble at Sha Tin on Dec 1, a haul matched by Hugh Bowman and trainer Mark Newnham.

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Four days after becoming only the 11th jockey to ride 600 or more winners in Hong Kong, Ho struck aboard The Boom Box ($25 on the Singapore tote), Vulcanus ($31) and Healthy Healthy ($22) - who successfully backed up for Pierre Ng after providing Ho's milestone victory on Nov 27.

"It's exciting to be involved in the International Jockeys' Championship, but I just take it race by race and see what happens." said Ho.

The first home-grown Hong Kong jockey to win the Longines IJC, Ho will be joined in the four-race series by Zac Purton, Bowman, Karis Teetan, James McDonald, Ryan Moore, Hollie Doyle, Rachel King, Yuga Kawada, Colin Keane, Mickael Barzalona and William Buick.

Ho guided Chris So's first-starter The Boom Box to success in the Class 4 Cameron Handicap (1,200m), advanced to a race-to-race double aboard the Me Tsui-trained Vulcanus in the Class 5 Carnarvon Handicap (1,200m, dirt) and then prevailed on Healthy Healthy.

With 20 wins for the season, Ho trails only Purton (44) and Bowman (24), who also shone atop Reliable Profit ($16), Talents Ambition ($18) and Dragon Joy ($14).