Caspar Fownes returned to the exciting battle for the trainers’ championship when he finished a quiet game and scored twice with Joao Moreira at the Happy Valley Stadium on Wednesday night.
Despite having 27 runners since his last win, Fownes’ two goals saw him jump into second place in the championship with 53 wins for the season, one behind leader Danny Shum Chap-shing.
“We’ve had a couple of quiet meetings but to tell you the truth, for me, the tracks have been brutal – and I’ve been on record saying that. It’s nobody’s fault, we’ve had no sun, you know what it is. But it’s been a bit of a speed bump,” Fownes said.
“It was good to be back on the A course tonight. As you can see, the track looks like a perfect track for Hong Kong. Hopefully we’ll get some sunshine in the next few weeks to help with track repairs, which is much needed.”
The Heir won a double from Fownes and Moreira when he showed a fine turn of foot to chase down leader Superb King by one and a half lengths in the second leg of the Grade Four Dendrobium Handicap (1,200m).
“He’s more than earned his way and he’s run some good races without getting his nose in front, so it’s good to see that result for the owner. He’s a great friend and a great supporter of the stable, so he deserves it,” Fownes said.
Decision Link was heavily discounted in the betting and started at $1.75 as he continued to maintain his perfect record at Happy Valley, making it second from two in the first part of the Grade Four Dandelion Handicap (1,650m).
Starting well, Moreira left the front runners and followed a strong pace before coming to the outside to finish half a length clear of Northern Beast.
“We were always going for him on the trip it’s just unfortunate that in the last few runs, even when he won, he gave a wider wicket. His last two matches since Sha Tin have been really good, put the writing on the wall,” Fownes said.
“We’ve always felt he would get to 1,650m and he’ll be at his best, so we’re delighted to get that. The main thing was a good draw tonight and Joao just kind of had a bit more of him, and he did it in professional style.”
Tony Cruz and Angus Chung Yik-lai also started the double on Wednesday night with Tycoon Resources’ emphatic victory that made the three-year-old a perfect two-for-two in the Grade Four Ewo Challenge (1,000m).
Measured behind the gate before being allowed to start, Written Tycoon’s build started evenly from gate five and the home turn was well back. Despite the short Fun straight, Chung timed it perfectly, passing the front runners and taking the win at the line by a short head from Grand Nova.
Chung completed his double with Victor The Winner, who jumped $59 and led from barrier to box in the Grade Two Thistle Handicap (1,200m). It was 843 days since the Toronado jockey recorded his last victory in the 2024 Group 1 Sprint Cup (1,200m).
Cruz Wrote’s Flying and Jerry Chau Chun-lok turned the tables on Giant Ballon when beating him by one and a half lengths in the Grade Three Violet Handicap (1,200m), which was a two-furlong race down the back straight. With several runners in the first group, it was up to Flying Wrote to lead the chasing pack.
Instead of closing the gap by going up, Chau saved the ground near the rail, passing at a good pace and ending the three-match winning streak of Giant Ballon who did not lose fans in defeat.
“Last time we were behind Giant Ballon and today I really believed we could beat him. A lot of credit has to go to Jerry, he rode a full race, he put him in a good position and he was brave. I think going helps too, the horse likes to give a little on the ground and you don’t get that with Sha Tin,” Cruz said.
The David Eustace-trained Vivacious Win stormed home to win by an incredible five lengths from Glory Ride thanks to a well-rated ride from Purton in the second leg of the Grade Four Dandelion Handicap.
“He’s been threatening to win for a while – he’s been a touch unlucky. Obviously you don’t expect them to win as well, but he got a good draw and the race was well organized. There was good speed early on and Zac judged the pace of the race perfectly and put them to bed,” Eustace said.
“I hope the handicapper doesn’t get too carried away. I didn’t think it was the strongest race on paper and as I say, I think the early pace probably increased the margin.”
Karis Teetan and Douglas Whyte combined to secure Violet Star’s first win in the Grade Three Hyacinth Handicap (1,650m) when the son of Sioux Nation raced to the top in the straight to win by three-quarters of a length over Power Of Vitam.
“(Teetan) tried him 10 days ago and he got the feel of the horse and he rode him right. He rode him with confidence and gave him a chance. He’s a European horse, and he got going at the right time, and the horse responded well. And he really lined up well,” Whyte said.
“I’ve learned a lot about the horse but obviously going forward, we’ll book his run and he showed a good round tonight, which shows he’s still got a lot of change in him.
“He did well in the first race and he’s done well in other races. And he’s also run a normal race, but that was due to the circumstances. But we worked on him and I thought tonight was good.”
Comments
