Must-win race for Fownes-trained Sky Heart

When Caspar Fownes makes a statement some may consider bold on one of his talented horses on the rise, it pays to listen more often than not.

“He’s one that I believe has a chance to make it to triple figures and I don’t normally get them wrong when I say something’s going to hit a mark. If he’s going to do that, he’s still got over 20 points to go,” Fownes said.

The galloper Fownes is referring to is Sky Heart, who can stake his claim on a late Hong Kong Derby (2000m) berth when he tackles Sunday’s Class 2 Carpenter Handicap (1800m) at Sha Tin.

An impressive two-time winner in his first campaign last season, Sky Heart has bounced back from a fetlock injury in July and colic surgery in August to make a late bid for the city’s most prestigious race.

After a close fourth and a second on his first two starts this term, the Ardrossan gelding returned to the winners’ list with a fighting performance over 1,600m on February 16.

“He’s had a lot of problems, so I just hope everything is smooth from now on and he can show us what he really is capable of,” Fownes said.

“I’m looking forward to him stepping up in distance and up in class, but down in weight. The extra furlong looks good and it’s going to be interesting.”

Sky Heart drops 5kg to carry 52.5kg on his first test at Class 2 level, with lightweight jockey Lyle Hewitson booked to ride him for the first time.

Rated 76, he is one of five four-year-olds in the Carpenter Handicap bidding to boost their rating to clinch a Derby start on March 23.

Fownes boasts another of them in Lo Rider, who has had a luckless start to his Hong Kong career.

The former Irish galloper has been held up for clear running at crucial stages, blew the start badly second up and was then hampered by a three-horse fall that left a trio of jockeys injured.

He finally had a smooth passage last start but fell a neck short when second to Steps Ahead, who has since run a solid fifth in the Classic Cup (1,800m).

“I’ve got another horse in the race called Lo Rider and I hope this rain sticks around because then it’ll be interesting to see how he can perform as well,” Fownes said of the galloper, who won on soft-to-heavy and yielding ground in Ireland.

“He ran enormous last start but I thought the track was pretty firm that day. He’s probably a two-length better horse on a track with a bit of give.

“My two horses are going to get points because they are out of the handicap and one of them is going to carry two points overweight. We’ll make sure we get the points.”

Karis Teetan will ride Lo Rider, who is rated 75.

Cambridge, Markwin and Bundle Award are the other Derby hopefuls in the Carpenter Handicap, which also features several older horses in strong form.

Helene Feeling bids to carry his Happy Valley form to Sha Tin, having won the Group Three January Cup (1,800m) before a pair of placings at the city circuit.

Encountered is a course and distance winner, Mr Ascendency won at the Valley two starts ago, C P Brave is a three-time course and distance winner and Winning Dragon comes off a second in the Group 3 Centenary Vase (1800m) and fourth in the Group 1 Gold Cup (2000m). - South China Morning Post

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Gangnam Star finished strongly for eighth from a wide draw last start. Finally lands a better gate, which could be key to a stronger showing. Regency Happy Star a dangerous frontrunner, he has been in great form and should be included in exotic bets. So Awesome with a low draw, improvement is expected with Bowman aboard. Joyful Life fitter after his first-up run and a Top 3 finish wouldn’t surprise. Perfect Peach will relish dropping to Class 5, where he has a reliable record, and should not be overlooked despite carrying top weight.

Race 2: Autumn Vibes showed promise on debut when finishing strongly into third despite a tardy start. He is primed to break through second-up, provided he jumps cleanly. Top Throne a newcomer who has trialled well for his debut, he should be highly competitive in this field. Golden Luck travelled wide throughout last start and could improve into the money with a smoother run. Invincible Lucky still a maiden galloper but gets his chance to win in a race of this nature. However, the wide draw remains a concern. Fun N Glory with a low draw and Britney Wong’s 10-pound claim, he could surprise at odds.

Race 3: Akashvani a talented newcomer, he is well prepared with several trials for his debut and looks one to watch. Panda has finished strongly in his recent starts, and from a favourable draw, he should run well if he can settle closer to the speed. Flash Current stormed home for a brilliant win in this class last time out and looks poised for a double. Raging Rapids has shown ability and could sneak into the placings at odds. Happy For All with his conservative racing style, he needs a genuine pace to produce a strong finish.

Race 4: Beauty Live having dropped in ratings, he endured a wide trip but still finished a solid sixth last start. With a better draw, he could make amends. Flying Luck always dangerous in Class 4 and must be respected with in-form jockey Brenton Avdulla aboard. Kingly Demeanor sat on pace to finish a close second last start. If he can across easily from a wide draw, he will be hard to run down. Beautiful Win ran his best race to date last start and is improving with each run. Lucky Sam Gor finished a slashing fourth behind the talented Sky Jewellery last start and should figure in the finish.

Race 5: Vulcanus let down well to finish 2.75 lengths behind Fortune Warrior into second. With a 9-pound weight swing in his favour and a better draw, he is well placed to reverse the result. Fortune Warrior was an easy last start winner and a double looks well within his reach. Looks Outstanding finished strongly into fifth on debut and should improve with added experience. Offroad Master has a great record in Class 4 and is worth considering with the drop in class. Judy’s Great with a 7-pound claimer aboard, he could prove to be a value choice.

Race 6: Ka Ying Superb his last run was much better than it looks, considering the wide trip, and he is expected to produce a much improved effort from a better draw this time. Etalon Or a consistent performer, he could finally break though with better luck in running. Gallant Epoch made all last start, though favoured by a slow tempo. He could repeat the dose if allowed an uncontested lead again. Jolly Jumper overlook his last start effort as there were genuine excuses and appears to be a lightweight chance here. Strathpeffer capable but unpredictable, he is worth considering if his odds offer value.

Race 7: Self Improvement ideally placed with a 10-pound claimer aboard, he is expected to dictate the pace in front and can prove hard to run down. Mojave Desert his recent runs have been encouraging and another win looks imminent. Must Go a last-start winner who remains in the same class, he should run well again from a decent draw. Gummy Gummy should be highly suited by the drop in distance and could surprise at odds. Mask Rider caused an upset on debut but failed to back it up last time out. Nevertheless, he looks a place chance here.

Race 8: Invincible Sage the small field should suit his sit-sprint style and an inside draw ticks another box. Lucky With You returned to his best last start and looks one to follow as he remains in the same class. Magic Control scored a convincing win in Class 2 last time out and remains a strong chance despite the rise in class. However, the 1200m trip may prove a bit longer for him. Copartner Prance was narrowly beaten last start and appears well weighted here to run another big race. Mugen boasting a strong second-up record, he could surprise at value.

Race 9: The Boom Box unbeaten from three starts, he looks highly progressive and should handle the rise in distance with ease, given his racing pattern. Armour War Eagle looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. Gracious Express could cause an upset on his best form and should not be overlooked. Magnificent Nine broke though easily in Class 4 last time out and will make his presence felt if the pace suits, despite returning to Class 3. Sugar Ball coming off a slashing third over this track and distance, he must be rated a strong contender.

Race 10: Winning Dragon has shown consistent form in Group features recently and must be considered a strong contender dropping to Class 2. Lo Rider just missed last start when narrowly beaten and looks well placed at the weights to produce another encouraging effort. Encountered has a perfect record in this class and must be respected. Markwin well placed at the weights, he should produce a strong finish despite the wide draw. Sky Heart overcame a wide draw to score a tenacious win in Class 3 last time out and looks to have more ratings in store as a progressive four-year-old.

Race 11: Light Years Charm scored a dominant win in Class 3 last time out and looks the standout of the card. Brilliant Express he has been in career-best form and is primed for a hat-trick here, though he will need to overcome a wide draw. Embraces caught the eye last start when running home strongly. and will perform well if the pace suits. Huge Wave has ability and is always dangerous in this grade. He could prove to be a value choice. Patch Of Cosmo a bit erratic and difficult to follow, but he has the potential to run a big race on his day.