Fownes joins elite club with 1,200th Hong Kong winner as double moves him level at top
Caspar Fownes became only the fourth trainer in Hong Kong racing history to reach 1,200 wins at Sha Tin on Saturday, 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 (Vino Rosso) 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 ten lengths off the leaders.
Fownes revealed he had hoped to start Sky Vino in the Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on March 22.
“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 (So You Think) completed the double for both Wong and the four-time champion trainer, who is now into his 22nd season in Hong Kong. The gelding prevailed by a short head in a desperate battle to the line with Invincible Shield (I Am Invincible) to claim the meeting’s feature race, the Class 2 TVB Cup Handicap (1200m), and complete a day to remember for his trainer.
Amazing Partners (Pierata) made it two from two for Francis Lui as Vincent Ho powered the 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 (Zoustar) 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 trainer has steadily climbed to fifth in the current standings.
Andrea Atzeni continued his fine form with a double. His first winner of the day was a driving effort on the Tony Cruz-trained Serangoon (Ilovethiscity) 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 (Flying Artie) was fancied to finally make his breakthrough in the Class 3 TVB Yan Chai Charity Show Handicap (1200m), and the four-year-old 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 (approx. AU$271,665) for his owner.
There was another success for the Brett Crawford-Karis Teetan partnership when Gor Gor (Shalaa) claimed the Class 4 TVB Lok Sin Tong Charity Corner Handicap (1200m) on a head-bob, denying Incredible Moment (Royal Meeting) 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 ten. 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.”
California Star (Starspangledbanner) 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 (Dandy Man) 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.