Caspar Fownes is optimistic Sky Heart and Lo Rider can bolster stable hopes of landing a third HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) when the pair contests the HK$3.12 million Class 2 Carpenter Handicap (1800m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (9 March).
Sky Heart and Lo Rider are among a group of four-year-olds – along with Cambridge, Markwin and Bundle Award – taking on older opposition this weekend in the search of a ratings boost as they attempt to gain a start in the BMW Hong Kong Derby on 23 March.
Cambridge, Markwin and Sky Heart are all rated 76, while Bundle Award and Lo Rider are a point lower on 75 and victory or placings against a field headed by Group 3 winners Helene Feeling and Encountered could trigger vital progress in the handicap.
Four-time Hong Kong champion trainer Fownes has twice savoured Hong Kong Derby glory with Super Satin (2010) and Sky Darci (2021) and hopes Sky Heart and Lo Rider can edge closer to earning starts in the Classic.
“Both horses are there, presenting very well. We won’t have many excuses, they’re both in good form and even though it’s Class 2, I’m sure they’re going to be performing with a bit of credibility. They’re both in good nick and it’s going to be fun,” Fownes said.
Lyle Hewitson will ride Sky Heart (115lb) and start from barrier seven, while Karis Teetan will partner Lo Rider (115lb) from gate five.
“Lo Rider ran enormously the other day, but I thought the track was pretty hard. If we get a normal track, he would be better on it,” Fownes said of the Harzand gelding, who won an 1800m three-year-old handicap carrying 135lb in Ireland when known as Sharinay, and who finished second last-start to Steps Ahead at Sha Tin.
“The same with Sky Heart. He’s stepping up to 1800 (metres) for the first time, so it’s going to be quite interesting to see what he can do. He was quite impressive, I thought, the other day when that horse came to beat him, he stuck his neck out while giving away a lot of weight.
“I think we’re looking forward to the weekend and I think they’ll acquit themselves very well.”
Pierre Ng concedes time is against Cambridge but the young trainer hopes the former Irish galloper can regain his best form under Angus Chung this weekend.
Formerly trained by Aidan O’Brien, Cambridge ran second in the G3 Eyrefield Stakes (1800m) at Leopardstown in 2023 but has yet to fire in two Hong Kong runs, finishing 12th and ninth.
“His form hasn’t come ideally on time for us. His last run was still a little bit weak at the end, so we’re backing him up and hopefully he can get some points to get into the Derby,” Ng said.
“We know he can run a long distance but still he might need some time to wake him up to acclimatise to Hong Kong. I just want him to have an easier run where he can pick up in the straight and have a good run. He’s definitely a quality horse, but he just needs time.”
The Class 3 Tak Ku Ling Handicap (1600m) is also critical to the aspirations of the connections of Light Years Charm and Liveandletlive, who could also boost their chances of running in the BMW Hong Kong Derby this month with strong performances.
Trained by David Eustace, Light Years Charm is rated 75 and will carry 130lb this Sunday under Hugh Bowman, while Liveandletlive is on a mark of 66 and will be partnered by Chung from barrier three.
One of Sunday’s features for established horses is the Class 1 Kowloon City Handicap (1200m) which is headed by G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) winner Invincible Sage (135lb), Lucky With You (134lb), Magic Control (133lb), Mugen (133lb), Taj Dragon (130lb), Copartner Prance (129lb), Drombeg Banner (122lb) and Whizz Kid (115lb).
Sha Tin’s 11-race card on Sunday (9 March) starts with the Class 5 Junction Handicap (1400m) at 12.30pm.
By Leo Schlink
