Caspar Fownes strengthened his position at the top of the Hong Kong trainers’ championship standings after producing a decisive treble at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, 8 July, with Joao Moreira partnering all three winners in a memorable evening for the stable.
The success moved Fownes to 69 victories for the 2025/26 season, giving him a six-win advantage with only two meetings remaining. The veteran handler, chasing a fifth Hong Kong trainers’ title after previous triumphs in 2006/07, 2008/09, 2013/14 and 2020/21, now leads Danny Shum (63 wins) and Mark Newnham (60 wins) in the championship race.
Fownes created early momentum during the card through Jumbo Blessing and Forza Toro, stretching his advantage before Shum responded with victories from The Perfect Match and Leading Agility. However, Dancing Classics delivered the decisive blow in the Class 3 Breakaway Handicap (1000m), restoring Fownes’ advantage and adding another important win to his campaign.
The victory of Dancing Classics, carrying 121lb for trainer Fownes and Hong Kong entertainer Aaron Kwok, completed a strong night for the stable. The win marked the gelding’s third career success and came after a tactical equipment change, with blinkers added following a below-par previous effort.
Fownes has enjoyed a productive campaign and his latest treble has placed him in a commanding position heading into the final two race meetings of the season. The trainer will now look to maintain his advantage as the championship reaches its closing stage.
Earlier in the evening, Jumbo Blessing provided the first success for the Fownes-Moreira combination in the Class 4 Volley Handicap (1000m). The gelding overcame a slow beginning, travelled widest around the turn and produced a strong finishing burst to catch Beauty Show by half a length.
Jumbo Blessing covered the final 400m in 22.58 seconds, stopping the clock at 56.81 seconds for the 1000m contest.
Fownes and Moreira added another winner when Forza Toro landed the Class 4 EIGHT TO GLORY, Presented by Lenovo (1650m handicap), before Dancing Classics completed the treble.
Moreira, who has partnered 25 winners for Fownes this season as stable rider, played a key role throughout the night and helped deliver one of the trainer’s most important performances of the campaign.
Meanwhile, Danny Shum remained in contention after securing a double during the meeting. The Perfect Match won the Class 4 Goal Handicap (1200m) under Jerry Chau, while Leading Agility followed up in the Class 4 Header Handicap (1200m) with Zac Purton aboard.
Purton continued his outstanding season by extending his lead in the jockeys’ championship standings. The Australian rider moved to 140 victories for the campaign, reaching the 140-win mark for the fourth time in Hong Kong.
Happy United, trained by Jamie Richards, also contributed to Purton’s tally with success in the Class 5 Kick Off Handicap (1000m), while Vincent Ho partnered Pierre Ng-trained Le Zonda to victory in the Class 2 Hat Trick Handicap (1800m).
Another Zonda, trained by Me Tsui and ridden by apprentice Britney Wong, completed an impressive all-the-way victory in the Class 4 Free Kick Handicap (1650m).
Hong Kong racing will continue at Sha Tin on Sunday, 12 July, as the season moves towards its final two meetings.
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