Buoyed by two drought-breaking winners and an increase in support, Luke Ferraris is looking to put a frustrating period behind him and finish his third Hong Kong season strongly.

After a positive start to the season, the young South African rider has battled waning quality and quantity of rides with only seven victories in 2024.

A recent winless streak of 72 rides added to his frustration, but there has been light at the end of the tunnel for the 22-year-old.

Having ended his drought with victory on Setanta at Happy Valley on May 15, Ferraris added another triumph with an upset result on $31 chance The Concentration at Sha Tin on Sunday.

“It’s nice to sort of get the ball rolling a bit again,” Ferraris said. “It’s been somewhat of a quiet end to the season. It started off really well.

“Like I’ve touched on before, the support just died off halfway through the season, but it seems to be picking up towards the end and if I can finish strong, then that’s all I can ask for.”

With a strong book of eight rides at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, Ferraris looks set to continue his recent change in fortune and add to his tally of 23 wins this season.

While five are for his biggest supporter, Mark Newnham, Ferraris has importantly picked up two rides for championship leader Pierre Ng Pang-chi and one for Ricky Yiu Poon-fai.

“Mark’s been great to me throughout the season and I think his stable’s only going to go from strength to strength,” Ferraris said.

“It’s obviously good to get a couple of rides from Pierre and hopefully the relationship with Ricky Yiu starts to build.

“I’ve got a couple that have drawn good barriers, which will help. Some not good, but they look to be chances.”

Ferraris hops aboard Ng’s consistent performer Frantanck, who returns to the city circuit for the first time since November in the Class Three Shouson Hill Handicap (1,650m).

The son of Frankel won twice at Sha Tin in March and has the advantage of barrier one on Wednesday night.

“He’s a tough, front-running horse and his form’s been good at Sha Tin,” Ferraris said.

“On the A track from pole position, if I can get left alone in front, I think he’ll be pretty competitive. He’s got the 135 [pounds] but he’s a big, strong horse, so he’ll carry it.”

Plentiful is Ferraris’ other ride for Ng, with the son of Capitalist returning from a knee injury in the Class Five Stanley Gap Handicap (1,000m).

“It’s his first time in Class Five. He’s a big horse with a big weight [135 pounds] and an awkward barrier [10], but his trials have been good,” Ferraris said.

Setanta, One For All, Youthful Spirits and last-start placegetters So Treasure and Super Baby are Ferraris’ mounts for Newnham.

“Setanta won well last time,” Ferraris said of the Fastnet Rock gelding’s barnstorming victory from last.

“He’ll just need the tempo to suit. So Treasure is knocking on the door. It’s just greenness that’s cost him his last couple of races, but he’s got barrier one.

“Super Baby was a much better run last time, but he’s a bit hit and miss.

“Going to 1,200m is a bit of a worry for Youthful Spirits. He’s a horse that does get the head up and can race quite fiercely, but in saying that, he’s not going to have to do any work from barrier one. Hopefully he’s not pestered in front by Happy Fat Cat.”

Last-start winner Mega Bonus can add to Ferraris’ strike rate for Yiu in the last race, the first section of the Class Three Violet Hill Handicap (1,200m).

Ferraris has booted home three winners from just eight rides for the veteran handler this season, but he fears a rise in class and wide draw in barrier 12 pose significant challenges to Mega Bonus.