Race for the Trainers’ Championship: Fownes bids to sharpen his advantage

The final week of the Hong Kong racing season is upon us, and Caspar Fownes has all but secured a fifth trainers’ championship after holding his rivals at bay during a pulsating finish to the 2025/26 campaign.

While the title race was neck and neck for months, Fownes has taken control in recent weeks, and he maintains some breathing room heading into the term’s final two fixtures – this Sunday’s (12 July) 11-race card at Sha Tin and Wednesday’s (15 July) nine-race finale at Happy Valley.

Fownes, who sits on 69 victories and holds a six -win lead over nearest rival Danny Shum, has a string of opportunities to further increase his buffer this weekend.

Last-start winners Papaya Brose and Silver Spurs will chase consecutive victories, with Papaya Brose rising in grade for the Class 3 Joy And Fun Handicap (1200m) and Silver Spurs out to overcome another wide draw in the second section of the Class 4 Victory Marvel Handicap (1200m) after a string of double-figure alleys.

Daily Trophy, Sky Vino and Monarch County will also carry reasonable form into their respective assignments, while Fownes will hope Sagacious Life can take a significant step forward in the Class 1 Hong Kong Racehorse Owners Association Trophy (1600m).

Third at the course and distance in his first start for Fownes on 6 June, the Brazilian Group 1 winner looks well placed to give the late-season feature a shake after twice winning over the Sha Tin mile earlier this season.

Shum will also have a presence in the season’s final Class 1 thanks to Helene Feeling, but his weekend winning chances look to lie elsewhere.

Packing Fighter is edging towards his first Hong Kong success after doing everything but win when finishing second at his last start, and he looks well placed in the Class 4 Solar Hei Hei Handicap (1600m), while Massive Reward was a big improver last start and further progress will ensure he is a big player in the Class 4 Medic Kingdom Handicap (1400m).

Mark Newnham (60 winners) is the other trainer who holds an outside chance of sailing past Fownes late but the Australian will need to convert a handful of his seven runners this Sunday into victories.

Last-start winner Lucky Sam Gor could oblige in the Class 3 Sight Winner Handicap (1600m), while Oldtown is racing in top form ahead of his run in the Victory Marvel Handicap.

Trainers’ Ranking (Top 6) – As of 9 July, 2026