Trainer Caspar Fownes will cast a menacing Karma into uncharted territory on Sunday when the sizeable chestnut – outclassed on paper but in career-best form – contests the HK$4.2 million G3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Handicap over 1800m at Sha Tin.
Tipping the scale with a body weight of around 545kg, Karma has won three of his last four races – each over the mile at Sha Tin. The Turn Me Loose gelding goes beyond Class 2 and 1600m for the first time this weekend, doing so with a featherweight 52.5kg – 9kg less than top-weight (Beauty Joy, 61.5kg) – as the race’s second lowest rated horse.
“He’s a big, rangy type of horse. He’s long and lanky – big boy. He just seems to be improving with each prep we give him and we’ve seen it many times here in Hong Kong – ages six and seven can tend to be their best seasons,” Fownes said.
One of Hong Kong’s most renowned races with over 150 years of history, the Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse has attracted a capacity 14-runner field, including two from Fownes with Senor Toba also engaged. Fownes previously won the race with Southern Legend (2019).
The 89-rating Karma rolled quality opposition in the Class 2 HKJC 140th Anniversary Cup Handicap (1600m) at Sha Tin on 20 October last start after surging from the tail of the field.
“The horse is in great form and I think he will eat up the distance. There’s a lot of good horses in there though, so it’s a great test for us to see whether he measures up to this level, which we’re hopeful, and if he does then it opens the door for some nice races this season.
“We’ll continue to stretch his distance out, I feel, especially if he gives us a good closing sectional time on Sunday,” Fownes said.
Alexis Badel hops aboard Karma on Sunday. The Frenchman partnered the galloper in a recent trial at Conghua.
“It’s a good ride for him. Alexis trialled him up at Conghua for me and I said to him this was plan, Vincent Ho would ride him last start and this time he won’t get Vincent’s weight. It works out well and he gets a chance to hop back on the horse,” Fownes said.
The Fownes name has a rich history in the Ladies’ Purse with Caspar’s late father Lawrie Fownes capturing five editions: Sky Bound (1985), Fire Wind (1990), Celestial Park (1990), Crown Commander (1994) and China Cruise (1996).
Steely grey Senor Toba makes his seasonal reappearance for Fownes. The Toronado gelding has won two Group 3 races in Hong Kong, including once over this weekend’s distance.
“Senor Toba is first-up. He’ll be ridden by Keith Yeung and he had a nice trial last week at Conghua over the mile. He’s run respectively, so we’re hoping for a nice enough effort,” Fownes said.
“He’s going to come to his best towards the end of the season for the (G3) Queen Mother Memorial Cup (2400, Handicap) – that’ll be his race.”
Karma will step from gate No 12, while Senor Toba has drawn sweetly in gate No 3.
Group 2 placed in Hong Kong, Sword Point dazzled on the dirt first-up with a near-four length demolition on 6 October for trainer Frankie Lor. The six-year-old is chasing a fourth Hong Kong win from barrier 10 under Derek Leung in the Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse.
“After his win I trialled him once more and he trialled ok. Last season he started well and then his form dropped a little bit. That’s why he wasn’t performing well. He looks better this season,” Lor said.
Lor also saddles eight-year-old All For St Paul’s in the Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse, who jumps from barrier nine with Matthew Poon, in a bid for a 10th Hong Kong win.
“The old man! He has a light weight. This won’t be easy but his form is ok. He always leads and if someone challenges then maybe it will be difficult for him,” Lor said.
Sidelined due to a setback, Lor is hopeful six-time winner Happy Together can return next month in the HK$5.35 million G2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (1600m).
“I want to run him on the 17th in the Group 2 over the mile. I know Galaxy Patch is really good but I don’t want him (Happy Together) to run over 2000 metres first-up. He needs to trial because he has had issues. If everything is ok then he will race,” Lor said.
Flaming Rabbit lines up for Douglas Whyte in the Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse, aiming for a return to the form that saw him record a pair of make-all wins at Sha Tin. Angus Chung rides the Time Test galloper from barrier five.
“It’s a tough race, especially with Beauty Joy. He (Beauty Joy) performed well last season and first-up as well. Flaming Rabbit is up in class but last season he was consistent at times. It depends on the pace and if someone comes to annoy him,” Chung said. - Hong Kong Jockey Club
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Pakistan Friend a proven performer at this level, he flashed home late into third last time out. With Purton retaining the ride, he can make amends. Invincible Missile caught the eye last start when running home well and should be highly competitive in a field of this nature, especially with the apprentice claim. Casa Legend form is good and must be rated a solid chance, but drawn wide on the C+3 course raises concerns. Splendid Star ran the second fastest sectional time last start and could show further improvement here. Chateau Le Peche has dropped in the ratings and shown improvement.
Race 2: Geneva a consistent type coming off a narrow yet impressive win in this class, he should be hard to beat with only a 1kg weight rise. Packing Angel resuming from a break and having trialled well, he looks one to watch with Purton aboard. Spicy Spangle his recent runs have been encouraging, making him one of the better chances here. Winning Lion a newcomer who has shown promise in trials, the betting market will be the best guide. Beauty Missile did not disgrace at his last run and he has what it takes to cause an upset.
Race 3: Jumbo Fortune has been racing in consistent form lately, and with a favourable draw, he is ideally placed to return to the winner’s list. Chater Gold possesses a racing style of getting back and charging home, and will run well if the pace suits. Special Hedge can bounce back a winner anytime in this class and cannot be ignored despite drawing wide again. Corleone turned in a very nice debut run and looks to have good ability. Californiatotality his last start placing was full of merit, but he needs some luck from an awkward draw.
Race 4: Triumphant Warrior stuck on well to finish third in a fast run race last start and is edging closer to a win. Cheerful World looked unlucky when being held up at a crucial stage last start and could make amends with a smoother run. Sugar Ball his recent runs have been encouraging and he always looks dangerous in Class 4. Flying Double newcomer who has trialled well for debut, watch for betting support. Lifeline Express a proven performer at this level, he could run well form an inside barrier.
Race 5: Master Of All produced a solid first-up effort and is suited by rising to 1400m where both his career wins have occurred. Markwin a costly gelding, he put the writing on the wall with a slashing second on debut. Thriving Brothers showed good improvement last start after dropping to Class 4, and remains a strong chance. Circuit Mighty did not disgrace at his last run and engaging Purton adds to the interest here. Take Action caught the eye flashing home late last time out and can make his presence felt under the right race shape.
Race 6: Mr Energia has shown significant improvement this season and is poised to continue his strong run from a favourable draw. View Of The World having trialled well since his impressive last-start win, he looks capable of securing a double despite the wide draw. Yuen Long Elite stormed home to finish third last time out, and with a more favourable jockey booking, he should play a key role. Flying Luck overlook his last start effort as there were genuine excuses (raced wide) and give him another chance. Endeared caught wide last start but still ran well. However, he needs to cope with a wide draw again.
Race 7: Massive Sovereign reigning Derby champion resuming from a break, he has trialled well and looks raring to go based on his impressive first-up stats. Chancheng Glory one of the best 4YOs last season, his consistency will carry him a long way. Karma has been racing in great form and is well weighted to extend his purple patch of form despite rising to Group 3 level for the first time. Beauty Joy he has a big weight to carry but has run well under similar conditions in the past, making him a value choice. Nimble Nimbus a proven performer at this level, he was previously placed in a Group 1 feature and cannot be underestimated.
Race 8: Glory Elite possessing tactical speed, he should map well from a low draw and could be hard to run down. Majestic Express scored a win at big odds in Class 4 last start and remains a strong contender from a good draw, despite rising to Class 3. Lady’s Choice won well in Class 3 last time out and is aiming to secure a double. Packing Turbine making local debut and having trialled well, he appears one to watch with Purton on board. Young Arrow has not been beaten far in recent starts and do not dismiss.
Race 9: Prestige Always has performed well in both starts this season and draws well to make amends after finishing third from a wide barrier last start. Sky Trust a consistent type who finished a solid second on his Class 3 debut last time out, he deserves plenty of respect. Leslie he needs a fast early speed to produce a big finish, which looks likely here. Hasten Delight can upset some more fancied rivals on best form, while the rise to 1400m could work in his favour. Huge Wave a proven performer at this level and rates in the chances despite the wide draw.
Race 10: Steps Ahead a talented type resuming from a spell, he looks to have some ratings up his sleeve and should be hard to beat despite rising to Class 3. Beauty Crescent finished powerfully with fastest sectional time ranking last start, and from a much better draw, he could cause an upset. Aeroinvincible scored a narrow win in Class 4 last start and with Purton remaining in the saddle, he should run well again despite the rise in class. Lo Pan Spirit a fast beginner who can run well if he finds an easy lead. Mighty Stride has shown signs of regaining form after a fast-finishing second last start.