Momentum in the Hong Kong trainers’ championship gathered pace at Happy Valley on Wednesday evening as Caspar Fownes produced a decisive treble, further strengthening his position at the head of the standings. The experienced trainer sent out three winners on the city circuit, extending his advantage over the chasing pack as the season moves into a crucial phase.
Fresh from a double at the same venue a week earlier, Fownes continued his strong run with victories from Elegant Life, Golden Brilliant and Somelovefromabove, each scoring decisively in their respective contests.
With 53 of the season’s 88 meetings completed, Fownes now sits on 42 winners, ahead of David Hayes on 37, while Mark Newnham and Danny Shum share third on 36. Francis Lui follows with 34 victories, while multiple champion John Size has 29.
Speaking after the meeting, Fownes maintained his typically measured outlook despite edging further ahead in the title race.
“I’m happy. All I can do is present my horses well and you need a lot of luck in this game,” he said. “I know how to win a championship — that’s one thing I can tell you.
“I’ve got my game face on and I’ll be doing my best. There are a lot of good trainers here and plenty of winners to come for everyone.”
Happy Valley Race Results 11 March – Fownes’ Treble Sets the Tone
Fownes’ first success came when Elegant Life carried 135lb to victory in the Class 5 Conduit Handicap (1000m), giving jockey Luke Ferraris another notable result during a productive run of form.
Ferraris has now ridden four winners from his past five rides at Happy Valley, adding to the treble he recorded at the track a week earlier. The young South African moved his seasonal tally to 26 victories.
“It’s good to get some momentum again after a dry spell,” Ferraris said. “Support is everything for a rider, and it’s great to be riding horses that have genuine chances.”
Fownes’ second winner arrived when Golden Brilliant, partnered by Alexis Badel, captured the first division of the Class 4 Hatton Handicap (1650m). The treble was completed later in the evening when Somelovefromabove prevailed in the opening section of the Class 4 Breezy Handicap (1200m) under James Orman.
Elsewhere on the card, Hayes briefly strengthened his position in the trainers’ standings when Metro Power claimed the Class 3 Bonham Handicap (1200m).
However, Hayes narrowly missed a further success in the Class 3 Lyttelton Handicap (1800m) when his runner China Win was edged out by a neck. The race instead went to Fallon, trained by Tony Cruz.
Another notable winner was Lucky McQueen, prepared by Cody Mo and ridden by Matthew Poon, who produced a powerful late finish to land the third division of the Class 3 Breezy Handicap (1200m).
Three-year-old Win Method added further interest to the evening by securing a second career victory for trainer Danny Shum and jockey Lyle Hewitson in the second division of the Class 4 Hatton Handicap (1650m).
John Size also enjoyed success when Sight Hermoso captured the Class 3 Craigengower Cricket Club Challenge Cup Handicap (1200m) under Irish rider Dylan Browne McMonagle, marking the tenth win of his current short-term stint in Hong Kong.
“He’s come in and made an immediate impact,” Size said of Browne McMonagle. “He’s a strong rider and brings plenty of determination in a finish.”
Another consistent performer, Team Team Folks, delivered his second course-and-distance success for trainer Jimmy Ting and jockey Vincent Ho when taking the second division of the Class 4 Breezy Handicap (1200m).
The Hong Kong racing programme now moves to Sha Tin for the next meeting scheduled on Sunday, 15 March.
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