Caspar Fownes drew level with Mark Newnham at the top of the trainers’ premiership on 35 winners after a brilliant day at Sha Tin on Saturday, highlighted by Sky Trust’s gutsy win in the Class Two TVB Cup (1,200m).

It was a day to savour for both Fownes and Ellis Wong Chi-wang, who gave both his winners superb rides from off the pace, with Sky Trust’s feature success far from straightforward.

Settled midfield throughout the journey, Wong peeled his mount into the centre of the track off the turn and was coming with a strong challenge when a concertina effect started off by Magic Control spying a closing gap saw Wunderbar, Gustosisimo and Sky Trust all copping sizeable bumps.

Far from deterred, Sky Trust found another gear when gathered up and he was driven to the front by Wong before fending off a strong late challenge from Invincible Shield to score by a short head.

It was a third win of the campaign for Fownes’ likeable galloper, who has really found his groove after a second throat surgery in the summer months.

“He’s been lovely for the stable. That’s his third win this season, [Wong is] getting on well with him and he did a good job from the gate [nine] I thought – he dug him out and let them slide past him and came in behind in sixth position,” Fownes said.

“He got a bit of a bump coming into the straight from [Gustosisimo], but he knuckled down and won really well.

“With his throat issues, we’re just sprinting him now I think to best affect. Dancing Code got close in a Group Three so he might be able to do something like that over 1,200m – you never know.

“We’ll just keep him in good condition and when a race comes up, hopefully he can snag another one.”

Sky Trust’s success was the second leg of a Fownes double, with Sky Vino coming from the clouds to collect the Class Three TVB Lo And Behold Handicap (1,650m) on dirt.

Settled near the rear, Wong and his mount had a huge amount of ground to make up in the straight after turning in with just two horses behind them.

The pace was red hot, however, and as the leaders tired in the final 200m, Sky Vino kicked in the turbochargers and flew home in tandem with Dragon Air Force, winning by a comfortable half a length as the $2.6 favourite.

Fownes has always thought highly of his now three-time winner and is hoping there is more to come as he continues to gain experience.

“I’ve always had a high opinion of the horse and actually he’s come up a bit short for me this season,” said Fownes. “I thought he was my Derby horse – I thought he was a chance to get there. But you know what? Sometimes horses in Hong Kong, they just need a bit of time.

“The kid was very patient on him and he quickened up nice from the back of the field. He handles the Sha Tin grass as well as the Valley, so he’s a versatile horse and hopefully he can go on with it now and build up a nice, progressive season for the Kwans.”

Sky Vino delivered Fownes his 1,200th winner in Hong Kong and helped the handler draw level on wins with Newnham at the top of a competitive trainers’ premiership, with Hayes nipping at their heels just one win away.

Fownes is second by virtue of countback on third placings, but he is just hoping the good times keep rolling.

“It feels great to know that we’re in the top three or four of Hong Kong and I’ve still got a few years left in me hopefully, so we’ll just keep building on that number,” said Fownes.

“Very happy to hit [the milestone] – hard work from everyone contributes to that. It’s been going well so long may it continue. Hopefully we can be there fighting it out all the way to the end.”