David Hall will look for back-to-back wins with Geneva who steps up to Class Two company for the first time in the Thistle Handicap (1,200m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday.

The five-year-old was impressive when beating a strong field last start to win by one and a quarter lengths over Sunday winner Thunder Kit, coming from the back of the field and letting down beautifully in the straight to secure his fourth career win.

“Obviously it’s always a test when you get to Class Two, everybody wants to get there and finally he’s made it – we’ve always thought he had the potential to do that. But once you’re there it’s never an easy race, there’s always plenty of strong competitors and he’ll need it to set up well for him again,” Hall said.

While the Capitalist galloper has only seen the Happy Valley track once before when trialling there in 2024, Hall has no worries about how he will handle the city circuit and believes the fast-paced style of racing there will suit.

“I’m not concerned about Happy Valley, he’s had a look at it, albeit a long time ago. He likes to relax and run off a fast pace and you’re certainly always going to get that at Happy Valley. Just the way the programme fell it was the right race for him in Class Two, there’s not as many options as what you have in Class Three,” Hall said.

After carrying 130lb from barrier nine when winning last start, a weight of 116lb from barrier five should be an easier task with Matthew Poon Ming-fai aboard.

“Matthew had a little bit of experience on the horse before and he’s always our go-to jockey on the lightweight horses, so happy to have him on,” Hall said.

The lightly raced Power Of Vitam will seek his second local Hong Kong win in the Class Three Hyacinth Handicap (1,650m) after scoring his maiden victory at odds of $47 at his second start.

The four-year-old Proisir galloper should handle his first race at Happy Valley well after two commendable trials at the venue.

“It was a big-price win, albeit not that much of a surprise. He’d trialled well at Happy Valley leading into that and we sent him back there for another trial. I’m happy to run him there also, knowing that he’s had a couple of nice trials there,” Hall said.

“His first up run, he was probably a little bit short in fitness. He’d had a bit of a let-up and hopefully the trial suggests he’s come on for it, hopefully he can be competitive.”

The consistent and reliable Bits Superstar will drop back to 1,000m when he line-up with Jerry Chau Chun-lok aboard in the Class Four Ewo Challenge Trophy.

“The programme came up with that race, and he’d had a bit of a let-up – he’s an on-pace horse, 1,000m is probably good for him. He’s been competitive at that distance in Australia. Very genuine sort of horse that’s probably on his mark, but always runs his race,” Hall said.

The five-year-old son of Capitalist has enjoyed a break at the world-class Conghua facilities after a series of very solid yet luckless efforts, and has the benefit of barrier one on Wednesday.

“He ran three seconds in a row and giving 110 per cent every time he ran. I just thought he needed a little bit of a freshen-up. So hopefully off a good barrier draw – he got barrier one which I always like to see at Happy Valley – he puts himself in a good spot and he tries hard,” Hall said.

Brownneedsfurther has taken a liking to Happy Valley with three starts for three placings, and will look to score his breakthrough victory in the first section of the Class Four Dendrobium Handicap (1,200m) with James Orman in the saddle.

“It’s getting frustrating that he can’t get a win on the board, he’s certainly got enough ability to win a Class Four – running three seconds clearly tells you that,” Hall said.

“He’s a fit and healthy horse who knows his way around the track and distance, and a little bit of a sticky gate, but he’s an on-pace horse and hopefully he finds his right rhythm and holds his form. He’s going to be competitive.”

Hall has opted to replace blinkers with visors after the previous two starts, and hopes the gear change can see an improved showing.

“When he doesn’t get things perfectly for him he tends to over-race a fraction, hopefully the visors might help him just get it a little bit more right,” Hall said.

Stable stalwart Never Too Soon showed he is still enjoying his racing with a last start placing over the course and distance ahead of the second section of the Class Four Dandelion Handicap (1,650m) when he’s piloted by Hugh Bowman from a wide barrier of 10.

“He’s an old fellah, he’s been around a fair bit, he could go to Happy Valley by himself I think,” Hall said.

“He had a perfect barrier the other day and a wet track, which was a couple of really big opportunities for him, and unfortunately he just got held up at a crucial time, which probably cost him winning the race.

“Hughie’s riding him this time, he’s got a little bit of a different barrier, so it might be a different set-up. You’re never ruling him out, especially if there’s a bit of sting out of the track.”

Hall is hoping that a softer track will see Northern Beast return to form when he and Poon contest the first section of the Class Four Dandelion Handicap (1,650m).

“He was just not enjoying the firm ground. I purposely waited to run him in May, hoping the ground might be a little bit softer just to help him a little bit. We’re hoping a little bit of relief in the ground will get him back to a bit of form,” Hall said.

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