Fownes chases third Memorial Cup

Luke Middlebrook

Hong Kong racing continues on Sunday for a mixed turf and dirt 11-race fixture which is highlighted by the running of the G3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup Handicap over 2400m.

A competitive field of 12 runners will contest this season’s Queen Mother Memorial, presenting a host of different form lines to dissect.

Trainer Caspar Fownes will be chasing a third straight win in the event with the 2022 race winner, SENOR TOBA, seeking his first victory since his Centenary Vase triumph in February last year.

However, the most intriguing contenders are a host of up-and-coming four-year-olds, who could be poised to ascend Hong Kong’s staying ranks.

Danny Shum’s Chilean import, MOMENTS OF TIME, has showcased career-best form by winning impressively in his last two starts at Happy Valley and has previously triumphed over the 2400m trip.

UNBELIEVABLE, trained by Frankie Lor and highly touted, continues to improve with each race and is closing in on a victory after his promising last-start second-place finish.

Leading trainer Pierre Ng’s lightweight hope, KA YING GENERATION, will likely attract market attention following his solid third-place finish in the Hong Kong Derby, where he led under the daring ride of Andrea Atzeni.

Top weight RUSSIAN EMPEROR stands out as the distance specialist, with any rain further enhancing his chances, though he has been mixing his form locally as age catches up to him.

In the final race of the programme, two consecutive wins beckon for the in-form four-year-old SUPERB KID, trained by Francis Lui, in the Class 3 race over 1400m.

Lui, who will enter Sunday’s 11-race card trailing premiership-leading Pierre Ng by five wins, has SUPERB KID in sensational form since the gelding transitioned to 1400m four starts ago, with the Australian import boasting a record of two wins and a second-place finish at the distance.

After a luckless fourth-place finish two starts ago, SUPERB KID bounced back in the best way possible last time out with a convincing two-length victory.

Zac Purton will remain aboard SUPERB KID for Sunday’s assignment, with the pair drawing well in gate 1, where they should benefit from a favourable run in transit.

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: La Forza looks the one to beat based on current form after he turned in a promising run into second on debut when he was the short-priced favourite. Santorini debut run was good and has trained on well since – he can put it to the favourite. California Moxie turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly on debut. Fitter now and can only improve. Run Yes Run faded late last start, chance to improve under right race shape. Meaningful Dragon well prepared for debut and watch the betting.

Race 2: Joyful Champion was an easy last start winner and must be respected and he appears to get all the favours again if he has held his form. Colourful Baron form is good and must be rated a solid chance for Purton and Richards. Golden Fairy recent runs have been encouraging and can run well. Leather Master had betting support last start and where there is smoke there is fire – he may be one to surprise at a price. Superb Daddy can upset some more fancied rivals on best form but he has his breathing issues. When right, he can win.

Race 3: Hinokami Kagura looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. Open race, but he will get his chance to break through here. Street Conqueror had genuine excuses last start and can improve in this race with a better-timed ride. Everyone’s Victory good performance when returning to form last start and he has drawn well low again which will ensure a good run. Must Go go on the win two starts ago and give a chance here. Speedy Smartie looks a solid good chance based on last start in a strong form race.

Race 4: Illuminous nice 4YO with a good chance to bounce back for a win here after just failing to reel in an all-the-way winner last start. Sunstrider turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly into fourth over the mile. He should relish the rise in distance and is overdue for a win. Eighteen Carat well supported last start and won accordingly. If they allow him a soft lead, he will prove hard to run down. Holy Lake last start winner who remains in the same grade and will run well again for in-form trainer Francis Lui. Star Mac backing up quickly from last week, can run well.

Race 5: Bottomuptogether talented newcomer who looks ready to win here after impressing at the trials on numerous occasions. He should show them a clean set of heels here and prove too good. Cheval Valiant should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way under the apprentice claim. Taihang Scenery well prepared for debut and is worth considering. Talents Supremo video replay showed last run was very good and he could surprise at odds. Yoda’s Choice best run to date was last start and appears to be improving.

Race 6: Flying Mojito every chance last start when a beaten favourite but still ran a good race and he deserves another chance here. Aestheticism can bounce back a winner anytime in this class. He will likely get back early from the gate but be running on well late. Laugh Tale caught the eye last start running home powerfully but has what it takes to map closer. Joy Of Spring looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. Mission Voice had betting support last start and where there is smoke there is fire – one to watch at odds.

Race 7: Daring Pursuit has had no luck recently and could run a cheeky race third-up here. Plenty went wrong in the run last start when a close-up forth and he can win here with clean air. Storming Dragon holding form with recent good trial and looks well placed to break through second up after a promising debut run. Call Me Supreme caught the eye last start when running home well on debut – can only improve on that. Midori Burly drops down in grade and start following. Top Peak looks a solid good chance based on last start.

Race 8: Wide open 2400m Handicap here with plenty of winning chances. Ka Ying Generation solid effort last start when third in the Derby and must be rated chance here. Unbelievable best run to date was last start and appears to be improving. Ready to win. Russian Emperor is a distance specialist who looks a big chance. Top weight and mixing his form are against him. Moments In Time winner of last two starts and looks a top chance to keep the ball rolling here. Five G Patch backing up quickly from a good last start effort and could find this race easier too.

Race 9: Victory Moments form is good and must be rated a solid chance to bounce back for a win here having drawn well low in barrier 2 from where he should get the run of the race. Nebraskan turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly. Hong Kong Hall showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight to hold down third. Monta Frutta consistent performer of late and worth considering. Super Win Dragon has a good record over this track and distance and looks a chance first-up.

Race 10: Competitive Class 2 as usual here. Ka Ying Rising smart three-year-old who’s a winner of last two starts and looks a top chance to win again despite the rise in class – he’s a horse on the up. Packing Treadmill faded late last start, chance to improve under right race shape and he is well placed in this grade. Beauty Charge last run was better than it reads and do not dismiss. Gorgeous Win nice 3YO who is well placed with light weight and could bounce back after failing to let down in the wet last start. Son Pak Fu change of trainer recently and can improve.

Race 11: Superb Kid was an easy last start winner and must be respected. Drawn perfectly low, he will be afforded all the favours in the run and will prove hard to beat. Magnificent Nine had genuine excuses last start and consider again. Super Goldi rising in class and meets better quality horses but can measure up. Golden Artie looks a solid good chance based on last start but he will a good ride from the outer gate. Ching can upset some more fancied rivals on best form. First-up