Lo Rider may have the second-lowest rating in the field but Caspar Fownes is confident his son of Epsom and Irish Derby winner Harzand can make an impact in this weekend’s BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m).
While the 78-rated Lo Rider is one of nine Derby runners yet to be tested over 10 furlongs, Fownes believes the 2,000m of the city’s most prestigious race will be ideal for his four-year-old.
“He’ll eat it up, no worries. It’s going to be a nice race. I think this year’s Derby is quite open,” Fownes said.
“There’s no superstar and you’d have to think 30-40 per cent of the field are going to be suspect at 2,000m.
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“He certainly deserves his spot in there and I believe he’ll make his presence felt if the conditions suit, he gets a nice draw and has a good run.”
A winner over a mile and 1,800m in Ireland pre-import when known as Sharinay, Lo Rider has yet to salute in five Hong Kong starts.
But there’s always been a belief among Hong Kong racing circles that he’s capable of a big performance and Fownes hopes it all clicks when it matters most.
“I’m sure he’ll beat at least half the field home and anything he does above that would be very nice,” he said.
Jockey Hugh Bowman and trainer Caspar Fownes enjoy a winner at Sha Tin on Saturday.
“He’s had excuses. One day he blew the start and didn’t get a run and another day he over-raced a bit and still ran enormous. He’s a nice horse whose future is all ahead of him.”
A two-and-a-half-length fourth behind Bundle Award under Karis Teetan last start, Lo Rider will be ridden by Hugh Bowman this weekend.
Bowman has twice ridden Lo Rider, managing only a fifth and a seventh earlier this year.
Lo Rider shapes as Fownes’ only Derby runner in 2025, with Sky Heart second reserve and Sky Trust fourth emergency despite having a higher rating than Beauty Alliance and Lo Rider.
Lo Rider gallops at Sha Tin earlier this month.
“It’s fair enough that he’s on the reserve list. I agree with that,” Fownes said of Sky Trust, who could only manage 12th in the Classic Cup (1,800m).
“He’s obviously better at 1,400m to a mile, in my opinion, but you give them their chance and hope that they’re good enough to give the owners a chance to have a runner in the race.”
Before chasing a third Derby win to go alongside those of Super Satin (2010) and Sky Darci (2021), Fownes will head to Happy Valley on Wednesday night hopeful of tasting success.
The 57-year-old, who sits seventh in the premiership with 30 winners, saddles up Verbier, Perfect General, Super Contented, Super Sixty, M Unicorn and Sugar Sugar.
“I’ve got a couple of nice runners and Perfect General gets his chance from a nice gate, so fingers crossed,” said Fownes.
Perfect General jumps from barrier four under Brenton Avdulla in the Class Four Craigengower Cricket Club Challenge Cup (1,200m).
