While most of the attention late last term was on the battle between John Size and David Hayes and eventually on the indomitable Size’s 13th premiership, Caspar Fownes was in the background compiling his best season since the last time he won the premiership in 2020-21.

Any trainer who reaches a half-century in a Hong Kong season has had a successful campaign and Fownes walked away satisfied with his 52 victories, despite finishing 17 successes adrift of Size in third place in the title race.

“I was very happy with last season with what I had. I set myself a task and I was able to achieve it, so it was good,” he said.

That 2020-21 title was Fownes’ fourth and he has been remarkably consistent since, compiling win totals of 45, 51, 51 and last season’s 52.

After a winner at each of the two meetings so far, Fownes is again dreaming of contending for the premiership.

“It was good to get one on the first day and one the second day. We’re happy – it’s a nice start,” he said.

“Hopefully this season we’ll be competitive. It’s going to be tough – as it always is in Hong Kong – but we’ll give ourselves the best possible chance to see how far we can go.”

Of Fownes’ seven runners at Sha Tin on Sunday, two are stepping up in trip on the seven-day backup – Fairy Horse in the second section of the Class Five Hong Tung Handicap (1,400m) and No Other Choice in the first section of the Class Four Kwong Fuk Handicap (1,400m).

“Fairy Horse has drawn a rough gate in 13 but his closing sectional was the second fastest in the race on the first day, so if he can get in some sort of position there’s no reason he can’t be a first-three chance,” Fownes said of the five-year-old, who finished sixth over 1,200m on opening day.

“No Other Choice is a late-maturing type and he’s stepping up an extra furlong, so he’ll tell me when he’s ready when he starts to really close off in one of his races.”

One of Fownes’ more interesting runners is Joy Of Spring in the Class Three Wah Fu Handicap (1,400m), with the son of Deep Field hunting a hat-trick of wins, however it’s Daily Trophy in the Class Four Hing Wah Handicap (1,200m) on the dirt who the handler has the highest hopes for.

“I’m confident Joy Of Spring will definitely run a big race and pick up prize money, even though it’s 1,400m,” said the trainer.

“He’s very well and it’s a nice run for him first up to be competitive and to strip fitter for the longer race that’s coming up for him in a couple of weeks.

“But I thought my best was Daily Trophy drawn three coming off a good run last season. His last run was very nice and his trial was pleasing the other day, so he should definitely be a first three chance.”

Rounding out Fownes’ hand at the season’s third meeting are Verbier, Super Pace and Sugar Sugar.