Fownes was the first to strike in the battle for the Hong Kong trainers’ championship with the narrow triumph of Papaya Brose (135lb) under Joao Moreira in the Class 4 Federation Of Associations Of Native Hing Ning Residents In Hong Kong Cup Handicap (1200m) and finished the day with a brace after Family Jewel’s (122lb) win in the Class 3 General Association Of Hong Kong Heyuan Societies Cup Handicap (1600m) for Moreira.

The double left Fownes (58 wins) with a slim buffer over Danny Shum (56), Mark Newnham (55), Francis Lui (50), David Hayes (49) and John Size (46).

Newnham struck with Oldtown (126lb) under Zac Purton in the Class 4 Hong Kong Federation Of Guangzhou Associations Cup Handicap (1200m) and debutante Joyful Joy (127lb), who claimed the Class 4 Federation Of Qing Yuan Associations (Hong Kong) Cup Handicap (1400m) for James Orman.

Ka Ying Lightning (127lb) made an impressive debut for Hall and Andrea Atzeni with victory in the Class 4 Hong Kong Mei Zhou Association Cup Handicap (1000m). The All Too Hard three-year-old was given eight trials in preparation and delighted Hall with his application.

“He’s always shown good ability from day one. He’s had quite a few trials but hasn’t put it all together – he’s either missed the start or over-raced. We were hoping he would run really well today, but a lot depended on how he jumped. You saw he didn’t begin that well and the favourite pushed him to the outside fence, which might have done him a bit of a favour,” Hall said.

Atzeni sealed a double when Aeroinvincible (122lb) clinched the Class 3 Hakka Cup Handicap (1400m) for Pierre Ng before Ho piloted Man’s Double Win (130lb) to victory in the Class 4 Hong Kong Federation Of Huichow Associations Cup Handicap (2000m).

Hong Kong racing continues at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (3 June).

By Leo Schlink

Photo: HKJC