Michael Chang Chun-wai hit a home run at Sha Tin on Monday night to avoid his third strike and score a licence for next season in one of racing’s major leagues.

Lady’s Choice justified Chang’s enthusiasm and punters’ favouritism to win the Class Four Tiu Chung Chau Handicap (1,200m). The young galloper’s one-and-a-quarter length victory under demonstrative champion rider Zac Purton enabled the 61-year-old trainer to meet the Jockey Club’s performance criteria at this term’s fifth-last meeting.

“One more season,” said Purton as Chang approached the Australian jockey to thank him for his steer of Lady’s Choice, whose second success on the spin was his local handler’s 19th triumph of the campaign.

Single-site trainers such as Chang must register at least 16 wins, of which a maximum of two Class Five victories count for the purposes of the Jockey Club’s performance criteria, not to receive a strike. Chang had two strikes from previous below-par terms on his record. Three strikes and you are out unless the licensing committee makes a rare exception.

With only two of Chang’s five successes in the bottom grade this season relevant in the Group One-winning handler’s fight to retain his Jockey Club licence, he had 15 eligible victories before Lady’s Choice triumphed and sparked wild celebrations in the winner’s enclosure.

“Very appreciative of all the public and the owners. They support me. They spoil me. Very touching. Very happy,” Chang said as his mobile telephone rang out with missed calls and beeped with text messages.

“I never question myself. I always thought I could make it,” added Chang, reminding reporters he had repeatedly expressed confidence in his ability in recent months.

Chang arrived at the track with an obvious contender, and he understood why punters backed Lady’s Choice into $2 favouritism before the gates crashed back.

“He’s a little bit better than Class Four,” Chang said of back-to-back division winner Lady’s Choice. “He’s only three years old, and he’s by Charm Spirit, so I think the ground helped him. When he rises to four, I expect he’ll make a big improvement.”

Asked whether he will find himself in a similar predicament this time next year, Chang replied: “It depends on the newcomers. I’ve purchased a couple of new horses. I know I can train decent horses.”

Purton, for whom Lady’s Choice was the first leg of his treble, was delighted to ride Chang’s 340th and, arguably, most important winner in Hong Kong.

“It’s good for Michael. He’s fighting for his career and his livelihood. It’s never a good position to be in,” said Purton, who also steered Lady’s Choice to his breakthrough triumph at Sha Tin on June 10.

“The fact he’s been able to get this horse to win two in a row at the back end of the season is a good job and for some loyal owners. It’s a feel-good story.”

Purton continued his pursuit of Brazilian jockey Joao Moreira’s single-season record of 170 victories with wins aboard Lady’s Choice for Chang, Helene Feeling in the Class Three Kat O Handicap (1,600m) for Danny Shum Chap-shing and Simple Hedge in the second section of the Class Four Ninepin Group Handicap (1,400m) for another history-chasing Australian participant, 11-time champion trainer John Size.

Shum planning to run Romantic Warrior in October’s Cox Plate at Moonee Valley

With 40 races across four meetings before this term concludes on July 16, Purton has 166 victories and Moreira’s mark in his sights. Size’s 73 wins put him nine ahead of Frankie Lor Fu-chuen as the former tries to become the first handler to 12 titles.

Monday’s feature event, the Class Two Kau Sai Chau Handicap (1,400m), went to Douglas Whyte-trained import Flaming Rabbit, who led all the way under South African rider Lyle Hewitson to post his first victory on Hong Kong soil and bank more than HK$3.5 million in prize money and bonuses.