Caspar Fownes wants to regain his King of the Valley crown this season, and he takes a one-win lead and a seven-strong squad to this term’s third-last meeting at his beloved city circuit on Wednesday.
Frankie Lor Fu-chuen is Happy Valley’s reigning monarch, but his time on the throne is almost guaranteed to end next month because he is eight victories adrift of Fownes with 27 races remaining at the city circuit before the end of the campaign.
Asked if he knew the state of play in the unofficial Happy Valley trainers’ championship, Fownes – who is one of only three active handlers who have saddled more winners at Happy Valley than Sha Tin, with relative newcomers Jamie Richards and Jimmy Ting Koon-ho the others – answered without a moment’s hesitation.
“Yeah, I do, actually. I’m leading by one. It’s exciting. Let the games begin,” said Fownes, who has celebrated 29 victories at Happy Valley this season, enough to rank him ahead of Francis Lui Kin-wai (28), Danny Shum Chap-shing (24), Tony Cruz (23) and rookie trainer Richards (23) with three meetings left.
Hat-trick scorer Packing Hurricane headlines Fownes’ Happy Valley roster as the winner of three Sha Tin races on the bounce makes his first appearance – competitive or otherwise – at the city circuit.
Packing Hurricane will jump from gate one under Harry Bentley in the opening contest on Wednesday’s nine-event card, the Class Three Aster Handicap (2,200m). Fownes is confident he will acquit himself well.
“On paper, it looks a nice race for him,” said Fownes of Packing Hurricane, who posted his first Hong Kong success in tandem with Joao Moreira in April before teaming up with Bentley for his latest two triumphs.
“He’s carrying a bit of weight. He’s gone up quite a bit in the ratings since he started but remains in good form, and hopefully, he’ll take to the track.
“It doesn’t matter if it rains. He’s shown he can handle a bit of sting out of the track. The small field will suit him, so there’s no reason he shouldn’t handle the circuit. He’s only a small horse. We’re expecting a nice performance.”
Another last-start winner who will represent Fownes at Happy Valley on Wednesday is The Hulk, whom his regular jockey, Luke Currie, will ride from barrier 11 in the Class Three Chamomile Handicap (1,650m).
“He’s done well,” said Fownes of The Hulk, who will make his 60th appearance in Hong Kong and overseas. “He’s won two 1,650m races at Happy Valley, and he steps up into Class Three on a rating of 63.
“You’d expect it’s going to be a little bit tougher for him, but again, if the rain comes, he’ll relish it. It’d give him a chance with his light weight.”
Second leg of five-timer clinches Purton’s sixth Hong Kong jockeys’ championship
Victory Scholars under Luke Ferraris in the Violet Handicap (1,200m) is Fownes’ runner in the third and final of Wednesday’s trio of Class Three contests.
“It’s going to be tough for him,” said Fownes of Victory Scholars, who was victorious three starts back and will have to beat the likes of Superb Capitalist, Reward Smile and Magic Phoenix. “He’s had his win. He’s at his mark. He’s done his job.”
Daily Beauty, M Unicorn, Young Life Forever and Charming Steed will accompany Packing Hurricane, The Hulk and Victory Scholars to Happy Valley on Wednesday.
In the unofficial Happy Valley jockeys’ championship, Vincent Ho Chak-yiu leads Zac Purton 46-45.
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