Despite falling short of his own expectations this season, Antoine Hamelin is keen to continue riding in Hong Kong as he approaches a significant milestone in the city.

The Frenchman admits his tally of 16 winners this term is “a little bit lower than I expected”, with a lack of quality rides in one of the world’s strongest racing jurisdictions a key factor.

Since joining the Hong Kong ranks on a three-month contract in the 2019-20 season, Hamelin has booted home 95 winners, including a personal-best haul of 27 in the 2020-21 campaign.

“It’s tough in Hong Kong, we all know that,” Hamelin said.

“I need some opportunity at the right time, but I’m still fighting and I’m happy to stay next season and hopefully do better.

“My life is here now, I build everything around it and I just need a bit more opportunity and support from trainers to be higher in the championship.”

While quality rides have been scarce for Hamelin, the 32-year-old hopes to capitalise on a golden opportunity when he hops aboard Gummy Gummy in Saturday’s Class Two Lung Mun Road Handicap (1,200m) at Sha Tin.

The Benno Yung Tin-pang-trained gelding is bursting to win after four placings and a pair of fourths this term, including a fast-finishing second to Superb Capitalist at Happy Valley last start.

Adept on all three of Hong Kong’s tracks, Gummy Gummy ran a close second to Bundle Of Charm on the dirt at Sha Tin in February in Hamelin’s only ride on the son of Snitzel.

“I’m happy to ride this horse again,” Hamelin said.

“He’s a very consistent horse and he always does his best. He was a really good run last time and on any track, he always does his best, so it’s very good to have a horse like this. We know we can count on him.”

Gummy Gummy has drawn barrier five in a competitive race headlined by Copartner Prance, who chases a fifth consecutive victory after showing blistering form at Happy Valley.

“We have a good draw, so it sounds good for this Saturday,” Hamelin said.

“I haven’t been back on [Gummy Gummy] in trackwork, but I can see the form from his races and it’s very good. We’ll try do our best.”

Andrea Atzeni will take his first race ride on Tomodachi Kokoroe in the Class Two and is hopeful the David Hayes-trained gelding can figure prominently.

A revelation with four Happy Valley victories this season, Tomodachi Kokoroe failed to fire in his only Sha Tin appearance this campaign when 10th in the Group Two Sprint Cup (1,200m).

Hayes said the former Australian galloper melted down in the parade ring pre-race and would appreciate a switch to Sha Tin’s twilight fixtures.

“The first time I sat on him was two days ago, but he did a nice bit of work the other morning and he seems in good form,” Atzeni said.

“Obviously all his form’s around Happy Valley really, but it’s a very competitive race. He hasn’t got the best of draws [barrier seven], but he comes from off the pace and it looks like there should be a nice tempo. If he brings his Happy Valley form to Sha Tin, he should be competitive.”

Hayes will also be represented in the Class Two by Nervous Witness, with Lyle Hewitson to ride the enigmatic speedster.

Whizz Kid, Duke Wai, Carroll Street, Reward Smile and Gorgeous Win round out the field of nine in the strongest race on Saturday’s card.