Southern Legend has a Dubai challenge in his sights but first there is the significant matter of Sunday’s (17 February) G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup over a stamina-asking mile and a quarter.  

Nine furlongs is the farthest trainer Caspar Fownes has stretched his SIN G1 Kranji Mile (1600m) winner and that resulted in a solid sixth under a notable weight in the G3 January Cup Handicap (1800m) last month. 

“It’s an interesting test for us,” Fownes said of the 2000m contest, in which the Australian-bred will face Hong Kong’s best stayers, Exultant, Pakistan Star, Glorious Forever and Time Warp.

“I’m taking his equipment off for this race: he’ll go in there with no blinkers, no visor, no nothing. We’ll just ride him where he’s comfortable and see if he stays the trip out strongly – he gives the indication that he’ll run it,” he continued.

“If he can run in the first four over 2000 metres I’ll be very happy, that’s what I’ll be expecting.”

If all goes to plan, Southern Legend will board a plane for the UAE at the end of this month with plans fluid as to what his Dubai campaign might entail.

“He’s scheduled to leave on the 28th at this stage,” the trainer said. “Depending on what happens, I’ll fly down in early March to look at him once he’s settled in for a few days and then make a decision as to whether we run on the ninth or skip that and go straight for the big night.”

The option of Super Saturday on 9 March brings into play the G1 Jebel Hatta (1800m), the traditional prep for the G1 Dubai Turf (1800m): Southern Legend also holds entries for two races on Meydan’s dirt track, the G3 Burj Nahaar (1600m) on Super Saturday and the G2 Godolphin Mile on the Dubai World Cup card.

“The race this weekend will tell us a lot more and then I’ll chat with the owner and see what we come up with after that,” Fownes said.

Douglas Whyte has partnered the six-year-old in his last five races but with the 13-time champion now retired Chad Schofield will re-take the reins this weekend.

“He’s a talented horse and I think he’s an interesting runner up to that trip,” he said. “We know he’s honest and always runs well so hopefully he can be there fighting in the last 100 metres.”

Luck for Classic Cup

The Fownes stable has one candidate for Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) glory on Sunday’s card. Green Luck will fly the flag after high-profile import Tigre Du Terre was withdrawn before the start of last weekend’s Class 2 2000m contest at Sha Tin.

“Tigre Du Terre seems to be fine, I’m just going to give him a couple of days quiet in the pool and hopefully he’ll be able to bounce back,” Fownes said.

Green Luck was a sound sixth in the Hong Kong Classic Mile, a race he stepped into as the lowest rated of 14, off the back of a second-place in Class 3 at Happy Valley.

“He’s very well, it was a nice run the other day,” Fownes said. “He’s still a bit off them but he’s a horse that’s got it there and once it starts to come together he’ll be alright.”

Sunday’s action also features Hong Kong’s Master Miler Beauty Generation, who will attempt to maintain this season’s unbeaten streak with back-to-back wins in the G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m).