Fownes fancied for big day at Happy Valley

Caspar Fownes is Happy Valley’s leading all-time trainer and on Sunday he’s assembled a formidable hand for a rare afternoon fixture at the iconic city circuit.

Looking to improve his unrivalled 577 wins at Happy Valley, Fownes – revered as the ‘King of the Valley’ – has confirmed time after time that he’s one of Hong Kong’s finest ever trainers and he remains one of only four in racing history to reach 1,000 wins in the city after John Moore, John Size and Tony Cruz.

Since taking over his late father Lawrie’s stable and scoring a first win with Champion Boy in 2003 at Sha Tin, Fownes has only ever dipped below 40 wins in two seasons, while his highest score came from his fourth championship conquest in 2020/21 (79 wins).

“I’m pushing to get big numbers, like anything, we’ve had a massive run of placings and fourths and fifths – they’re all racing extremely well and it’s a bit hard to cop in a handicap system because you keep copping it, but we can’t complain, I’m on target and we’re hitting the numbers we want to hit,” Fownes said.

The 56-year-old has 12 wins so far this season, a score bettered by only Francis Lui (13) and Danny Shum (13), while both Pierre Ng and Frankie Lor have 11.

“I’m just worried about what I am doing and what everyone else does is immaterial to me. Let’s have some fun and hopefully we can be close come the end of the season. The plan is to try and set ourselves up for a fifth title, that would be lovely,” said Fownes, Hong Kong Champion Trainer in 2006/07, 2008/09, 2013/14 and 2020/21.

Fownes has netted over 50 wins in a season 11 times. The nearest active trainers to his record Happy Valley score are Tony Cruz (458), Francis Lui (374) and Ricky Yiu (367).

Leading his team of six runners this weekend is the in-form Kurpany, engaged in the Class 2 Kwangtung Handicap Cup (1000m) with jockey Alfred Chan aboard, who takes 2.5kg off his assigned 61.5kg as the race’s top-rater.

“Those races are quite strong and there’s not much between those and Class 1s sometimes, but he presents well, he’s fit and he gets five pounds off with Alfie on – he’s won on the horse before too, so hopefully we can get a good result,” Fownes said.

Kurpany won first-up at Sha Tin before finishing a commendable third behind Stoltz in the Grade 3 National Day Cup Handicap (1000m) at the start of this month.

Sunday’s HK$2.84 million feature sees eight others go to post: Majestic Star, Ping Hai Galaxy, Whizz Kid, We Are Hero, Nervous Witness, Carroll Street, Seasons Wit and Reward Smile.

June Planet placed five times last season but has since recorded consecutive wins. The Not A Single Doubt gelding tackles the afternoon’s finale for Fownes, the Class 3 Zhuhai Handicap (1650m), with 53.5kg allocated and jockey Matthew Chadwick aboard.

“He’s won two in a row and he’s now going for three. He’s up in class but down in weight – he’s in good form and Chadwick rides. We’ll be hoping for a nice effort, you always hope those horses that progress into the next class can get a winning result because then you can still continue on an upward trend,” Fownes said.

Fownes has Atomic Force in the Class 3 Zhaoqing Handicap (1200m) with jockey Harry Bentley engaged from barrier No 8.

“He’s racing well, he has a big weight (61.5kg) but his last two runs have been with a lot of merit and he’s starting to understand what it’s about, he’s finally starting to take a bit of a chill pill mid-race, which is what he needs to do to be a nice horse,” Fownes said.

Fownes-trained Royal Pride features in the Class 4 Shenzhen Handicap (1800m) with jockey Luke Ferraris up – the only rider to prevail aboard the horse. Fownes also saddles Packing Hurricane and Jumbo Legend, who boast five wins combined. – Hong Kong Jockey Club

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Brilliant Pioneer turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly. He comes into a better draw and look ready to win second-up. August Moon has a chance based on past form in this class of race, start to follow. Barrier 1 is ideal here. Theta Hedge clearly has a better chance over this distance and expect a better run. Starry Night has ability and should not be underestimated in this grade, but the wide draw is of some concern. Happy Tango down in class in this race and should perform better. Each-way claims.

Race 2: Turin Mascot simply had no luck last start and overlook the run. He has since trialled well and has drawn nicely low, from where he will map with every chance. Natural Storm track and distance specialist and appears suited here. Majestic Victory always finishes close up and must be rated a chance at this level. Barrier 1 should suit him to a tee. S J Tourbillon could sneak a place in a race like this. Super Hong Kong will appreciate the extra distance and can improve in this race. Light chance on an each-way basis.

Race 3: Medic Elite was slow to begin last start but made good ground late. Better jockey in the saddle here should enhance his chances. Cordyceps One drops down in grade and start following, with luck from our wide, he can run a big race. Viva A La good effort last start leading all the way to win but off very slow splits. If he gets a soft lead again, he can give some cheek. Peak To Peak looks a longshot chance in a race like this from the low draw. Brave And Bold has had no luck recently and could run a cheeky race as Purton takes the ride.

Race 4: King Invincible turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly from a wide draw. He can map handier from the low draw, which should make a world of difference. Fortune Warrior had genuine excuses last start, with blood in the trachea, and consider again. Jumbo Legend drops down in grade and start following. Barrier 1 should see him run a bold race. Savvy Delight can bounce back a winner anytime in this class. Have to consider. Sergeant Pepper begins fast and can give a sight.

Race 5: Durham Star looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. This is a now-or-never opportunity for him from a low draw in a weak race. Every chance. Dragon Star should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way from the wide draw, but questions remain if he’ll have enough gas in the tank late. Golden Bull turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly and is improving all the time. Management Folks nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks a chance. Concerto can improve second-up from a break but the wide draw is of some concern.

Race 6: Golden Link narrowly beaten last start and goes close here again. A wide-open race, but he has what it takes to bounce back for a win here on his current mark. Tomodachi Kokoroe down in class in this race and should perform better. Barrier 1 suits his chances. Lucky Planet recent barrier trial in blinkers was good suggesting a good run can be expected. Compassion Super has had no luck recently and could run a cheeky race. Flaming Eagle can improve second-up from a break after finishing close-up first-up in a good race.

Race 7: Whizz Kid has a better chance on this track and should run well from the low draw. He appears to get the most favours. Kurpany track and distance specialist and appears suited here. Barrier 9 could be tricky for the rider. Seasons Wit winner of last three starts and looks a top chance to pick up where he left off, but he is first-up and up in grade, so there are a few queries. Nervous Witness resuming from a break and trialled well recently. Former boom horse who needs to show improvement. Ping Hai Galaxy recent barrier trial was good suggesting a good run can be expected.

Race 8: Royal Pride was eased early before catching the eye late when ridden too quiet last start. With early intent, he is poised to score. Dazzling Fellow rising in class and meets better quality horses but can measure up from the low draw under Purton. Flying Silver will appreciate the extra distance and can improve in this race on true form, looking for a better run from him here. Reach Goal video replay showed last run was very good and he can run a race from his low gate. Forever Glorious showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight. He can do the same here and, if rated well, can hang on late.

Race 9: Excellent Peers was slow to begin last start but made good ground late. He looks ready to win third-up from a low draw under the apprentice claim. Brave Star looks a chance if you go on previous consistent form. He has trialled well on two occasions for his return and can run a race. Street Conqueror turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly, proving he is up to this class after winning in Class 4 two back. Atomic Force recent runs have been encouraging and can run well. Sixth Generation turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly. Better over further but can still run a race here.

Race 10: Splendid Living every chance last start but still ran a good race. He should be fitter now second-up, has drawn well low and can bounce back for a win. Lean Hero rising in class and meets better quality horses but can measure up, he has more to come. June Planet winner of last two starts and looks a top chance to continue his winning ways despite the rise in class. Big Red improving type and getting close to a win. Barrier 1 is ideal for his chances. Brave Dreams had excuses last start when racing wide without cover.