Happy Valley specialist Caspar Fownes fired in a valuable double at the city track on Wednesday night (20 May) as the Hong Kong trainers’ championship developed into an increasingly congested battle.

Fownes had endured an uncharacteristic lean spell at the last three meetings before landing his 52nd and 53rd winners of a superb season in tandem with stable jockey Joao Moreira.

Danny Shum leads the standings on 54 wins, with Fownes second (53), Mark Newnham in third (52) and in-form Francis Lui rallying in fourth (50). David Hayes has 48, and defending champion John Size has 46.

Odds-on favourite Decision Link (121lb) justified strong market support to land the first section of the Class 4 Dandelion Handicap (1650m) for Joao Moreira and trainer Fownes.

“It was just unfortunate that in his last few runs, even when he won, he drew the widest gate,” Fownes said. “We’ve always felt he’d get to 1650m and he’d be at his best, so we’re happy to get that.”

The Fownes-Moreira axis claimed its second win of the night when The Heir (127lb) struck for the first time since the opening day of the 2025/26 season. In claiming the second section of the Class 4 Dendrobium Handicap (1200m), the six-year-old son of Impending ended a run of four placings with his second Hong Kong victory.

“He’s more than paid his way, and he’s run some nice races without getting his nose in front, so it’s nice to see that result for the owner,” said Fownes, who put his spell of 27 runs without a winner down to the conditions wrought by the onset of Hong Kong’s rainy season.

“We’ve had a couple of quiet meetings, but to tell you the truth, for me, the tracks have been atrocious. It’s no one’s fault – we’ve had no sun. But it’s been very on-speed bias.

“It was great to get back on the “A” course tonight. It looks like a proper Hong Kong track,” he added. “Hopefully, we get some sunshine over the next few weeks to help with the repair of the tracks.”

By Paul Ryding

Photo: HKJC