Fownes Cuts HK Rival Down to Size

Hong Kong trainer Caspar Fownes has delivered an unequivocal message to rival John Size with just 7 meetings to run in the title race for the trainers’ trophy. Heading into Sunday’s meeting at Sha Tin, as reported in this column last week, Fownes had a two point buffer over multiple championship-winning trainer Size, however that narrow margin had literally exploded by the end of Sunday’s race day. Fownes had summoned a veritable army from his available stable of runners and left the meeting having trained half of the 10 race card, including the winners of both Group 3 features. Headlined by Gr3 The Premier Plate (1800m) winner Southern Legend (Not A Single Doubt) and Gr3 The Premier Cup (1400m) winner Sky Field (Deep Field) – he also trained the runner-up – Fownes’ five-strong haul was in contrast to Size whose best effort was two placings. While the show’s never over until it’s over, a seven-win margin would now put Fownes at Winx-like odds to lift the trophy at season’s end.

Southern Legend landed the Premier Plate for Fownes (pic: hkjc.com)