Exciting Lo Rider aims to extend perfect start at Happy Valley

by Declan Schuster

Lo Rider (125lb) took a big step towards confirming his potential with a dazzling first-up win last month, and on Wednesday night (15 October) Caspar Fownes’ four-year-old Harzand gelding is aiming to repeat the dose in a quality HK$3.12 million Class 2 Lei Yue Mun Handicap (1800m) at Happy Valley.

A high-quality import from Ireland, where he was known as Sharinay and was a two-time winner at Cork and the Curragh for His Highness the Aga Khan IV, Lo Rider displayed plenty of promise throughout his debut seven-run campaign in Hong Kong last season, headlined by a brave fourth behind Cap Ferrat in last March’s HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) at Sha Tin.

Scoring by three quarters of a length when resuming in Class 2 over 1650m at Happy Valley on 17 September, Lo Rider – rated 89 and boasting earnings of HK$7.05 million from eight appearances in Hong Kong, China – is one of Fownes’ most exciting horses and the four-time Hong Kong Champion Trainer (2006/07, 2008/09, 2013/14 & 2020/21) is hoping the galloper can make further headway tomorrow night.

“He arrived back on Saturday (11 October) from Conghua. He looks extremely well, very healthy in the coat, and he seems to be a happy horse,” Fownes said. “We’re stretching out an extra 150 (metres) this week, which should be very beneficial for him, you would think, especially after what he did last prep.

“I hope (he can reach a 100-plus rating). He does a few things wrong, he’s a little bit of a box walker (unsettled) when he comes back here, but we’ve got him to chill out, which is good. Apart from that he’s been really good and he looks very healthy – that’s the main thing, and he’s in a good headspace.”

Wednesday’s nine-furlong clash sees Encountered (128lb), runner-up behind Lo Rider last start, reoppose, while Chill Chibi (133lb), Californiatotality (130lb), Helene Feeling (128lb), La City Blanche (124lb), Telecom Fighters (124lb), Speed Dragon (123lb) and Winning Dragon (120lb) feature. Harry Bentley rides Lo Rider again this week from barrier nine following their success from a favourable gate one first-up.

“(Brett) Crawford’s horse (Encountered) is in there, who chased us last start. You have to respect him, but my horse presents well. I’m very excited because these types of horses have the opportunity to get into the triple figures (rating) and if you do then you’ve done your job. Anything after that is cream,” said Fownes, who also saddles Jumbo Legend (121lb) in the contest from barrier three with apprentice Ellis Wong up.

A ground-making fifth to Lo Rider last start, seven-year-old Jumbo Legend has won seven times at Happy Valley over 1200m (twice), 1650m (three times), 1800m (once) and 2200m (once). Fownes has nine wins from 62 starters through the first 10 race meetings, while an in-form Jamie Richards is closely nipping at his heels on seven victories from 42 starters. Mark Newnham leads the title race with 11 wins.

Richards, 36, has made an immediate impact in the 2025/26 racing season, headlined by the heroics of Four-Year-Old Classic Series’ possible Bulb General – successful twice this term. Richards saddles four chances at Happy Valley tomorrow night, including La Forza (131lb), who takes aim at the Class 3 Hok Yuen Handicap (1200m) from gate 11 with championship-leading rider Zac Purton engaged.

“He is racing well. He’s just been misbehaving a little bit in the barriers, so we’ve been doing some work to rectify that. I think now that he’s a year older and a bit stronger, that 1200 (metres) should be no problem for him. He trialled well recently after missing the kick and he heads there in good shape,” Richards said.

A three-time winner at Sha Tin, La Forza has raced once at Happy Valley for third last month behind Superb Capitalist. The Toronado gelding trialled recently at Sha Tin, missing the kick behind an eye-catching Speed Dragon to finish eighth over 1200m on the dirt.

“He ran well there (Happy Valley) the other day off one very soft trial and he’s come on for the run. Zac’s feedback is that 1200 and 1400 (metres) should be no problem for him. We’ll stay at Happy Valley for the moment but there’s no reason why he can’t return to Sha Tin and race over further,” Richards said.

Storm Rider (135lb), Super Infinity (124lb), Hayday (123lb), Loch Tay (123lb), King Miles (121lb), Super Legends (121lb), Lucky Xander (120lb), Lucky Planet (118lb), Thriving Brothers (118lb), Justifying (117lb) and The Revolution (117lb) make up the rest of the Class 3 field.

Wednesday’s (15 October) nine-race fixture at Happy Valley commences at 6.40pm with the Class 5 Ngau Chi Wan Handicap (1650m).