Caspar Fownes accelerated a familiar title push with a double at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (3 December) as the four-time Hong Kong champion trainer edged to within three wins of Mark Newnham at the top of the standings.

Fownes struck with Perfect General (132lb) in the Class 4 American Club Challenge Cup Handicap (1200m) under Vincent Ho before Joy Of Spring (129lb) triumphed under Ellis Wong in the Class 3 High Island Handicap (1800m) to leave Fownes with 20 wins for the season – three shy of Newnham (23) and one ahead of David Hayes (19).

Hong Kong champion trainer in 2006/07, 2008/09, 2013/14 & 2020/21, Fownes had eight starters tonight and emerged with two wins, three seconds and a third to forge to the top of the Happy Valley table with 13 wins this season at the venue – two more than Danny Shum.

Fownes derived plenty of satisfaction from Hong Kong International Sale graduate Perfect General’s performance as the Zoustar gelding scored with plenty in hand.

“He’s been off for a long time so it was great for him to do that first-up. We certainly weren’t helped by the draw (barrier 11) when it came out but he’s a nice horse and we just decided to push on and make our own luck,” Fownes said.

“The key now is that they pull up well – if they do then you know you’ve got a very good horse moving forward. I believe he’s got what it takes to compete in the higher classes.”

Brett Crawford continued an excellent debut season by notching his first double at Happy Valley as the South African continued to build impressive impetus.

Crawford prevailed with Ninja Derby (132lb) under Lyle Hewitson in the Class 5 Tai Lam Chung Handicap (1800m) before Karis Teetan guided Genius Baby (124lb) to victory in the first section of the Class 4 Tai Tam Handicap (1200m).

Boosting his tally of wins to eight in his maiden Hong Kong season, Crawford said: “It has obviously been really good, I couldn’t be happier – coming into a new place, new environment, obviously being given some nice support, which is key to anything.

“It’s just nice to see that when the horses trial well, that they’ve been running well. There’s very few horses at the moment that have had me scratching my head, so long may that continue.”

Ninja Derby was given a brilliant front-running ride by Crawford’s compatriot Hewitson.
“Today, he (Ninja Derby) was given a good ride. He broke well, (Hewitson) put him in a great position, dictated the race and skipped at the right time – well done to him,” Crawford said.

“With him going up in points now, he’s proven that he can be competitive in Class 4 off bottom weight. I’m sure there is no reason why he can’t improve again. I think I will bring him back to the mile now.”

Genius Baby scored at his 10th attempt with Teetan weaving a late passage to atone for a luckless fifth at the city circuit on 19 November.

“Last time when he (Genius Baby) went for his run the gap closed up on him and broke his momentum. At Happy Valley, it’s a difficult place to gain momentum once it’s broken,” Crawford said.

“Today, from a good draw (barrier five), Karis had him in a good position but turning for home, he still got into a little bit of a tight gap, which I think between Karis and the horse it was very brave to get through and he quickened up really well to win a nice race.”

Preparing to contest next Wednesday’s (10 December) LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship at Happy Valley, Hollie Doyle piloted Manfred Man’s Double Win to victory in the Class 4 Shek Lei Pui Handicap (2200m) – the six-year-old’s second success in a row under the visiting jockey.

“He was like a different horse – he jumped and travelled like a good thing,” Doyle said. “Last time, he was behind the bridle and lazy, whereas today he just travelled and did it very smoothly.

“He hit a bit of a flat spot at the 400 (metres) but stayed on well. He really surprised me. He was very fresh beforehand, which was a good sign.”

Richard Kingscote secured his second win of the season when outsider Blue Illusion (119lb) prevailed at 97/1 in the Class 3 Plover Cove Handicap (1000m).

“We had a smooth run from barrier two and we are able get a lovely sit, he travelled through the race well and he responded well in the straight,” Kingscote said. “(Wins) are not easy to come by, but delighted.”

Cody Mo slotted his 10th win of the campaign when Matthew Chadwick drove California Blitz (125lb) to a short-head win over Know At Heart (118lb) in the second section of the Class 4 Tai Tam Handicap (1200m) while Jimmy Ting’s Golden Friendship (134lb) finished solidly under Zac Purton to break through at his 11th start to win the Class 5 Lau Shui Heung Handicap (1000m).