Two of the early pace-setters in the 2025/26 trainers’ championship will send strong contingents to Happy Valley on Wednesday night, looking to open up a gap at the top of the standings.
Caspar Fownes prepares six runners, hoping to improve on his seven wins so far this season at his favourite hunting ground.
Mark Newnham has made an explosive start to his third campaign in Hong Kong racing, and he saddles seven runners.
Three of Fownes’ six have already visited the winner’s arch this season, but none have escaped the attention of the handicapper for their efforts and find themselves in elevated company on Wednesday night.
Mighty Commander (119lb), who will be ridden again by Ellis Wong in the first section of the Class 3 Harbour View Handicap (1200m), is one of Fownes’ leading chances after winning smartly over 1200m last time out despite mostly campaigning over 1650m.
While Australian betting sites are yet to release odds for the Happy Valley meeting, these should drop on Tuesday at the latest.
“He seems to be in good form – winning the 1200 (metres) first up in Class 4. Now he goes up to a higher grade,” Fownes said.
“It’s always tougher in Class 3, but he’s proven to us that he can be close in Class 3, so there’s no reason why he can’t be competitive again at this distance.”
Fownes, who has a remarkable 38% strike rate at the city course this term, also backs up Super Sicario (117lb), who was impressive in a wire-to-wire win at the Valley last month.
Karis Teetan takes the ride on the four-year-old son of Tivaci in the first section of the Class 4 Man Cheung Handicap (1650m).
“He’s a little bit gobby – he still doesn’t respect the bit too much,” Fownes said.
“He’s another horse that got the job done in Class 5 and goes up to Class 4 with the light weight.
“As long as he’s well-behaved and gives Karis a good ride, I’m sure he’ll be competitive.”
Newnham’s hand is highlighted by Spicy Gold (132lb) in the second section of the Class 3 Harbour View Handicap (1200m), who returns to his preferred distance after disappointing in his first run this season over 1000m three weeks ago.
“(1000m) was just a bit sharp for him, but he’s been very consistent at 1200m at Happy Valley, and he probably needed the race to bring his fitness up,” Newnham said. “He’s had a good preparation since that race.”
Four-year-old Lunar Dash (131lb) was well-supported in his two outings last season despite failing to land for his backers. But he maintains the confidence of champion jockey Zac Purton in the second section of the Class 4 Li Yuen Handicap (1200m), and Newnham thinks the PPG will be in the mix.
“He’s drawn well in (gate) five. He’s got early pace. We’ve been riding him just off the speed in his trials and he’s been finishing well. So if he can settle in the first four, I think he’ll be in the finish,” Newnham said.
Monday’s (6 October) barrier trials at Sha Tin were highlighted by the reappearance of John Size’s exciting Four-Year-Old Classic Series prospect Sky Jewellery.
Despite a leisurely gallop under Hugh Bowman, Size said the gelding is progressing nicely.
“Nothing to see this morning – just giving him a jump out and letting him know he’s back at work,” Size said. “I think everything’s in order, but we’ve still got a long way to go. We’ll bring him along slowly and see what happens.”
Wednesday’s nine-race card at Happy Valley gets underway at 6.35pm with the Class 5 Pedder Handicap (1800m).
