Hong Kong-Caspar Fownes aims to win Columbus County’s fifth and fourth consecutive end-of-season showdown on Sunday at HK $ 3.7 million (S $ 655,000) Group 3 Premier Plate Handicap (1,800m) I am. For medium-range gallopers in Sha Tin.
The two-time winner, Redwood Gelding, finished fourth last year as João Moreira’s favorite. He missed just below the two lengths.
“He’s a very stable horse and I think he has another great race left this season,” Thumbs Up (2012), Rise High (2019), Dances With Dragon (2020), Fownes, who won the Southern Legend, said. (last year).
“He’s been running well on a short trip. He’s been running well over a mile from the beginning this season. He lost just below the length.”
Columbus County is competitive at Group 1 level, having two top levels in the past, but has not won since October 2020.
“He’s on track. Obviously it’s not ideal to get closer. But I kept him as fresh as possible, and he’s also half decent giving him his chance. I’m gaining weight, “Fownes said.
“Hopefully, if the speed is on and the real tempo is set, it will be in our hands in the last 200m.”
Reliable teams, Champions Way, Excellent Proposal, Ka Ying Star, Berlin Tango, Mighty Giant, Tourbillon Diamond, Butterfield, Savvy Nine and Turin Redsun are also on the premiere plate.
Vincent C Y Ho is engaged in riding Columbus County after partnering with 108 evaluators at a dirt trial in Sha Tin last Friday.
“He has won (HK $) 13 million stakes. He is an honest horse for the stables and deserves a win,” said Fownes.
“He approaches in some great races, but like everyone else, we want to take a winning photo with the owner.”
Raised in New Zealand, he set a new career record after Panfield, surpassing 2,400 meters at Sha Tin Racecourse at the Group 1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chatter Cup last season. -HKJC
