Caspar Fownes heads into the closing stages of the 2025/26 Hong Kong racing season with one hand firmly on the trainers’ championship after maintaining a healthy advantage in one of the season’s most closely followed contests. With only four race meetings remaining, Saturday’s programme at Sha Tin presents another opportunity for the experienced handler to edge closer to another title.
Hong Kong Trainers’ Championship
Fownes has collected 66 winners from 84 meetings this season, leaving him five victories clear of his nearest challenger ahead of Saturday’s fixture at Sha Tin on 4 July. While several trainers were in contention earlier in the campaign, the championship race has now narrowed to Danny Shum, who sits on 61 wins, and Mark Newnham on 60.
The weekend meeting could prove significant in the Hong Kong trainers’ championship, with Fownes sending out a seven-horse team in an effort to extend his lead before the final fortnight of the season.
Although his stable has not been among the most successful on Sha Tin’s all-weather surface this term, the dirt track may offer Fownes his best chance of adding to his tally.
Pejibaye is expected to be one of the stable’s leading hopes in the Class 4 The Chan Trophy Handicap (1200m). The gelding produced an encouraging performance when finishing second on his return from a right hind ligament injury, making an immediate impression on his first appearance on the all-weather track after previously showing consistent form on turf, including a victory and three runner-up finishes from seven starts.
Another contender on the dirt is Daily Trophy, who lines up in the Class 5 The Wong Cup Handicap (1200m). The experienced runner has repeatedly shown an affinity for the all-weather surface and is expected to be competitive once again.
Fownes will also look to Decision Link in the Class 4 The Arculli Trophy Handicap (1400m), while Perfect General makes his return in the Class 3 The Philip Chen Trophy Handicap (1200m). Perfect General was last seen producing an impressive victory in early April and returns with expectations of another bold performance.
The Hong Kong trainers’ championship battle also sees Danny Shum represented by the progressive Grouper. The three-year-old comes into the Class 4 The Stevenson Cup Handicap (1200m) after a runner-up finish at his latest outing and will attempt to continue his consistent recent form on a quick turnaround.
Mark Newnham has fewer obvious opportunities at the meeting but will be hoping All Out For Six can improve in the Class 3 The Philip Chen Trophy Handicap (1200m) as he looks to keep his championship hopes alive.
With just four meetings left before the curtain falls on the season, every winner carries added significance. Fownes remains in the strongest position, but with Shum and Newnham still applying pressure, Saturday’s Sha Tin meeting could play an important role in deciding the destination of the Hong Kong trainers’ championship.
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