Preparing to unleash quality stayer Straight Arron in the G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (21 January), Caspar Fownes extended a strong season with a double at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (17 January) to underpin his reputation as the ‘King of The Valley’.
Fownes’ brace lifted the four-time Hong Kong champion trainer to the top of the Happy Valley seasonal standings with 17 wins – one clear of overall championship leader Pierre Ng, whose tally of 44 victories include 16 at the city circuit.
Absent tonight, Fownes scored with Super Contented under Keagan De Melo and M Unicorn, who was partnered by Vincent Ho – Straight Arron’s rider.
Joining Fownes in slotting doubles were Ho and Zac Purton, while De Melo snapped a 58-run of outs when the South African coaxed the best out of Super Contented in the Class 4 Jackson Handicap (1800m).
“It’s been a bit slow for my liking, but it goes that way – you just have to keep positive and bringing my family here tonight was a bit of a positive thing to do,” said De Melo, who was watched by his wife Demi, father Dion and mother Fiona.
“Obviously my wife is 110 percent behind me on the good and the bad days as well but it was a nice relief (to win) for me and this horse is on the improve.”
Ho sealed a double when M Unicorn finished stoutly to claim the Class 3 Connaught Handicap (1650m) after earlier prevailing aboard Win Win Fighter in the Class 4 Ice House Handicap (1650m) as Francis Lui reached the 30-win milestone for the season.