Caspar Fownes capped a phenomenal show of strength with victories in the final two Group races of the Hong Kong season on Sunday.
Bidding for a fourth premiership title Fownes picked up five victories on the 10-race card including both feature events, the Gr.3 Premier Plate Handicap (1800m) with Southern Legend (Not A Single Doubt) and the Gr.3 Premier Cup Handicap (1400m) with Karaka Yearling Sale graduate Sky Field (Deep Field).
Sky Field’s rasping finish validated Fownes’ faith in the Deep Field gelding and provided Blake Shinn with a massive thrill, leaving Fownes to plot a possible course to December’s 2021 LONGINES Hong Kong International Races.
“I’ve told you how good he is and it was wonderful to see Blake get the result with him. He settled beautifully for Blake last start and again today over an extra furlong he settled really well. In the run ‘I said ‘I know what he can do’. The best is yet to come with him, so it’s wonderful,” Fownes said.
Shinn enjoyed a trouble-free trip before unleashing the gelding.
“Caspar just emphasised to switch the horse off and use his best asset, which is his turn of foot. The horse did everything right,” the Melbourne Cup-winning jockey said.
“When I produced him, he picked them up effortlessly and ran right through the line. It’s great because we’ve all believed in this horse’s ability and he stood up and beat a quality field. It’s just fantastic to win a Group race here in Hong Kong.”
Describing Sky Field’s acceleration as “electric”, Shinn said the chestnut “feels like a genuine Group One horse and he’s been placed in the sprint (Gr.1 Chairman’s Sprint, 1200m) two runs ago at the highest level in Hong Kong and from the first time I got on him, I thought he was a Group One horse.”
“Even though he didn’t win a Group One today, I’m sure next preparation he’s only going to flourish and become a really big force in the coming season,” the Australian said.
“To win this race here today for Caspar, who’s been a supporter from day one, is very meaningful. It’s Caspar’s day today.”
Sky Field is a son of O’Reilly mare Laravissante and is closely related to Gr.1 Hong Kong Mile (1600m) winner The Duke.
He was purchased out of the Trelawney Stud draft during the 2018 Book 1 sale at Karaka for $175,000 by Mr D Kwan.