Happy Valley will stage a 10-race programme on Sunday, 1 November 2026, with trainer Caspar Fownes preparing eight runners for the meeting, including progressive five-year-old Jumbo Blessing Hong Kong, who will target a fourth consecutive victory in the Class 3 Zhaoqing Handicap over 1,000 metres.
Fownes, the defending champion trainer, will return to the city circuit with an impressive record of nine wins at Happy Valley this season. He will look to strengthen his position in the trainers’ standings, where he currently sits second with 13 victories, two behind early leader Pierre Ng.
The five-time Hong Kong Champion Trainer recorded a record 46 winners at Happy Valley last season and will aim to challenge that mark again. Jumbo Blessing will represent one of his leading chances on Sunday.
The Starspangledbanner gelding will make his Class 3 debut after securing three consecutive victories in Class 4 from nine career starts. He will carry 122lb, with Vincent Ho retaining the ride after partnering him in his previous two successes. A favourable draw in gate two will also give the five-year-old an opportunity to secure a suitable early position.
Fownes believes the gelding has gradually developed greater composure under race pressure after taking time to settle into his racing career in Hong Kong. Jumbo Blessing failed to finish among the placed runners in his first six starts, but his recent improvement has resulted in a 19-point rise in his rating over his last three appearances.
The trainer remained confident in the horse’s ability throughout that difficult period and credited the owners for allowing him sufficient time to develop.
Kwangtung Handicap Cup to Bring Experienced Sprinters Together
Sunday’s principal trophy contest will be the Class 2 Kwangtung Handicap Cup over 1,200 metres, where established sprinters Lucky With You (135lb), Victor The Winner (132lb) and Son Pak Fu (120lb) will face a younger group of improving runners. The trio will bring a combined record of 25 Hong Kong victories into the 10-horse contest.
Trainer Ricky Yiu, who sits fifth in the trainers’ standings with 10 wins this season, will saddle two runners in the race. His five-year-old Rising Force (122lb) will be among them, with the Deep Field gelding looking to add to his record of four victories from 13 starts.
Yiu believes the smaller Happy Valley circuit will suit Rising Force, who has secured all four career victories when positioned prominently in his races. The trainer will look to repeat the tactics that have previously produced success.
Apprentice jockey Nichola Yuen will take the ride after completing her second treble of the season at Sha Tin on Wednesday, 28 October. She has partnered seven of her 16 winners this season for Yiu, who has praised her steady progress while emphasising the importance of further improvement.
The 10-race Happy Valley programme will begin at 12:45 pm on Sunday with the Class 5 Dongguan Handicap over 1,200 metres.
Jumbo Blessing will attempt to extend his winning sequence when he makes his Class 3 debut at Happy Valley, while the Kwangtung Handicap Cup will bring experienced and emerging sprinters together in Sunday’s principal contest.
For more stories, results, and updates from the world of horse racing, stay tuned to RaceBuzz.