The Hong Kong racing season has moved into its final quarter and there’s plenty on the line between now and the concluding meeting on 15 July, headlined by what Caspar Fownes has described as “the most exciting trainers’ championship ever”.

Rarely has the fight for the trainers’ premiership been so evenly poised so deep into a campaign, with Fownes and Mark Newnham level in the lead on 50 winners and Danny Shum (49), David Hayes (48), Francis Lui (43) and John Size (41) in striking distance.

Fownes is no stranger to premiership success, bagging the title on four previous occasions, and he revealed just how much he is relishing the fight for a fifth crown.

“I’m really enjoying it. I’m enjoying the competition, and I’m so glad there’s six guys fighting it out. The pressure is constant, and I’m just enjoying the fact it’s game on and everyone is having a go,” he said.

“I would say it’s the most exciting trainers’ championship ever. When you’ve got that many in the hunt – normally a couple clear out from the rest and fight it out – it’s really up for grabs.”

Fownes, who last took the title in 2020/21, finished third last season with 52 winners and is confident he has a nice spread of young horses on the up and older horses on the right ratings.

“I’ve got many winners left. I’m not going to let my competitors know what they are but I’ve got quite a few that can win two or three,” he said.

“I’ve just got to see if there are enough to get done what I want to get done – I want to win a fifth title. I’m in for the fight.

“I’m happy where I’m sitting. I’m sure someone will overtake me and I will overtake them and it will go back and forth and people will have a run. It’s going to be hard fought and it’s really exciting.”

Fownes has had a consistent season, starting strongly with seven winners in each of September and October and really putting his foot down with nine victories in December.

He kept things ticking over with half a dozen winners in February and March, and he has reeled off seven successes in April, thanks to a little help from none other than the “Magic Man”, Joao Moreira.

Moreira wasted no time after coming on as Fownes’ retained rider in early April, steering home a four-timer for his new boss at Happy Valley on 8 April to add another layer to the title race.

“It’s great to have Joao on board and I really want to win it this year. It would mean a lot. I’m focused and I’m putting everything into it,” Fownes said. “I’m working hard and I just hope I can get it done.”

Fownes saddles up nine runners at Sha Tin this Sunday, including Joy Of Spring in the G3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup (2400m) and Kaholo Angel in the Class 2 Members Cup (1600m).

Phtoto: HKJC