Fownes keeps title momentum rolling with Happy Valley success

Caspar Fownes kept his championship momentum rolling at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, saluting with his trademark cheer and fist pump after a training treble pushed him further clear at the top of the standings.

Fownes has earned the title ‘King Of the Valley’ for his prolific record at the city track and his trademark boisterous celebrations are a highlight of racing there.

He was in full voice at the track despite claiming he was “only half pace” after battling a recent cold. 

After striking early with Class 5 winner Elegant Life, Fownes returned to the winner’s circle in the Class 3 third race with Golden Brilliant and then later with Class 4 winner Somelovefromabove, after which he made sure his celebration could be heard above the healthy midweek crowd.

“It doesn’t matter what class they are in, I try to shout from my heart,” Fownes said. “Every horse is expensive. It doesn’t matter what class they are in, I just give the owners the best I can.”

The four-time champion trainer said his late-season push will also be boosted by Joao Moreira, who is set to join the stable as retained rider from April 7 through to the end of the season.

Fownes did not back away from the title conversation after kicking four clear on top of the standings with 42 wins, six clear of David Hayes, with Mark Newnham and Danny Shum Chap-shing equal third on 35.

“I know how to win a championship,” Fownes said. “I’ve got my game face on and I’ll be doing my best. I’m sure there will be a lot of guys with a lot of winners coming up. There are plenty of guys with a chance – in Hong Kong everybody has got a full stable.

“So here in Hong Kong, you have to keep knocking them in. Otherwise, if you hit a quiet patch, it is very easy for somebody to catch you. I just need to do my job and try to have fun along the way.”

Fownes said Elegant Life’s victory came down to a drop into the right grade, but he believes Golden Brilliant – who broke through at his seventh start – still has scope to improve.

“This horse is just immature, that’s why I gave him a freshen-up,” Fownes said. “He could start to improve in three or six months. He is still a young horse, he has a long way to go, still learning his trade, but he can win races for us.”

“Elegant Life was dropping in grade, so we thought we would bring him here. The horse is looking really well, but the class drop obviously helped him today.”

 

Dylan Browne McMonagle also continued his productive Hong Kong stint, with his connection to champion trainer John Size again proving fruitful.

The 23-year-old Irishman landed the Craigengower Cricket Club Challenge Cup aboard Sight Hermoso for his 10th winner since arriving on January 1 for a riding stretch that runs through March 29.

It was Browne McMonagle’s third winner for Size during that period.