Caspar Fownes will be hoping for a touch of poetic justice at Sha Tin this Sunday (October 12), as Dancing Code renews his rivalry with Tomodachi Kokoroe in the Class 2 Shing Mun Handicap (1200m) — a rematch that carries personal and professional weight for the four-time champion trainer.
For Fownes, it’s not just about revenge on the racetrack. With Mark Newnham three wins clear in the trainers’ standings, the veteran conditioner is eager for one of his stable stars to deliver a statement victory — and perhaps tilt the title race back in his favour.
“Nice horse, lovely owner, and the horse has been racing very consistently,” Fownes said of Dancing Code, owned by Cantopop superstar Aaron Kwok. “We’ve got Ellis (Wong) on top to take five pounds off. The horse runs well for him, and I’ve kept him very fresh for this race. There’s no reason why he shouldn’t run a good competitive race.”
Familiar Foes Meet Again
This will be the sixth meeting between Dancing Code and Tomodachi Kokoroe, and the statistics so far make sobering reading for Fownes — David Hayes’ Tomodachi Kokoroe has come out on top three times. None of those victories was more emphatic than his blistering Sha Tin win two weeks ago, when he set a Class 2 record of 1m 07.76s over the same trip. That effort earned him a 10lb penalty, but also confirmed his reputation as one of the most consistent sprinters in training.
“The last start, Mr Hayes’ horse beat us very convincingly,” Fownes admitted. “Obviously, there’s a little bit of difference in the handicap this time. So hopefully we can get closer to him and beat him.”
Tomodachi Kokoroe’s regular partner Harry Bentley remains confident the horse still has untapped potential. “I got him exactly where I wanted — box-seat, relaxed, and he took me into the race beautifully,” Bentley said. “Even after winning by that margin, I felt he still had something left. It gave me a great feel.”
Sky Trust Steps Up
While Dancing Code draws most of the headlines, Fownes’ second runner, Sky Trust (121lb), cannot be ignored. The five-year-old son of So You Think earned his promotion with an emphatic last-start win and will be partnered by British jockey David Probert, who is still searching for his first Hong Kong success.
“He was very impressive last time and got a big penalty for it,” said Fownes. “He’s drawn wide, which isn’t ideal, but winning form is good form. He’s in great shape, and David just needs a bit of luck.”
For Fownes, Sunday’s clash represents more than a single race — it’s a battle of momentum, pride, and perhaps even redemption. And for Dancing Code, it’s a chance to finally turn the tables on his old rival in front of an expectant Sha Tin crowd.
For more Hong Kong racing coverage, stay tuned to RaceBuzz and check full race details on the Hong Kong Jockey Club official website.
