Fownes joins elite club with 1,200th Hong Kong winner as double moves him level at top

By Paul Ryding

Caspar Fownes became only the fourth trainer in Hong Kong racing history to reach 1,200 wins at Sha Tin on Saturday (14 February), a milestone achieved as he landed a double to move level at the top of the 2025/26 trainers’ championship.

On the day Fownes joined an elite group of trainers to pass the 1,200 mark, which includes John Moore, John Size and Tony Cruz, he now sits level at the top of the 2025/26 trainer standings with Mark Newnham on 35 wins. David Hayes is one back on 34.

“It’s great to know that we’re in the top three or four of Hong Kong (racing history),” Fownes said, “and I’ve still got a few years left in me, hopefully, so we’ll just keep building on that 1,200 – I’m very happy to hit it.”

A phenomenal effort from Sky Vino (115lb) in the Class 3 TVB Lo And Behold Handicap (1650m, dirt) delivered Fownes his landmark Hong Kong winner. Under an centimetre-perfect ride from apprentice Ellis Wong, the 2.6 favourite flew home late – after entering the home straight in 12th position and around 10 lengths off the leaders.

Fownes revealed he had hoped to start Sky Vino in the HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on Sunday, 22 March.

“I’ve always had a high opinion of the horse and, actually, he’s come up a bit short for me this season. I really thought it was my Derby horse. But, you know what? Sometimes horses in Hong Kong just need a little bit of time.

“The kid (Wong) was very patient on him, and he quickened up nice from the back of the field.”

Sky Trust (115lb) completed the double for both Wong and the four-time champion trainer, who is now into his 22nd season in Hong Kong. The So You Think gelding prevailed by a short head in a desperate battle to the line with Invincible Shield (130lb) to claim the meeting’s feature race, the Class 2 TVB Cup Handicap (1200m), and complete a day to remember for his handler.

Amazing Partners (133lb) made it two from two for trainer Francis Lui as Vincent Ho powered the betting favourite home in the first section of the Class 4 TVB Yan Oi Charity Show Handicap (1400m).

Lui brought up a double for the day when Turquoise Velocity (117lb) struck for the second time in three career outings in the Class 3 TVB Midlife, Sing & Shine Handicap (1000m) under Keith Yeung. Lui has now trained 15 winners since the turn of the year, and the 2023/24 champion handler has steadily climbed to fifth in the current standings.

Andrea Atzeni continued his fine form with a double. The Italian’s first winner of the day was a driving effort on Tony Cruz-trained Serangoon (124lb) in the Class 4 TVB Pok Oi Charity Show Handicap (1800m), the six-year-old grabbing his first win in almost a year.

Progressive four-year-old Chill Buddy was fancied to finally make his breakthrough in the Class 3 TVB Yan Chai Charity Show Handicap (1200m), and the son of Flying Artie obliged with Atzeni at the eighth time of asking, handing Ricky Yiu a 24th winner of the season and picking up a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million for his owner.

There was another success for the Brett Crawford-Karis Teetan partnership when Gor Gor (118lb) claimed the Class 4 TVB Lok Sin Tong Charity Corner Handicap (1200m) on a head-bob, denying Incredible Moment (120lb) by a nose in a thrilling contest.

“It was a very close finish,” Crawford said. “I had to watch the replay a couple of times and I wasn’t sure if we actually got up. A lot of credit has to go to Karis, as he managed to get him on the fence from stall 10. It was a really good, strong ride, so I’m very happy. Long may it continue this way, Hong Kong is a place where you’ve just got to keep driving the results up,” the South African added.

California Star (123lb) claimed a second career win courtesy of a patient run under champion jockey Zac Purton and completed a double for Cruz in the Class 4 TVB The Queen Of News Handicap (1650m, dirt).

The second section of the Class 4 TVB Scoop Handicap (1400m) was a processional affair as Run Run Smart (129lb) claimed a surprise win for Derek Leung and Frankie Lor. Jumping at 34/1, the four-year-old held the whole field at bay from gate to wire as he claimed his second career victory from 17 starts.

Lor completed his double when Stormy Grove (125lb) closed the card in style with Harry Bentley. After breaking from barrier 14 and propping up the field for most of the run, the Toronado gelding rounded a cast of talented four-year-olds – many considered BMW Hong Kong Derby contenders – to claim the Class 3 (Restricted) TVB Miss Hong Kong Pageant Handicap (1600m) by three-quarters of a length.

Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Thursday (19 February) with the Year of the Horse Raceday.