Caspar Fownes looks to have another smart prospect on his hands after Papaya Brose made a stylish debut in the third section of the Class Four Fat Choi Handicap (1,200m) to propel the trainer to the top of the championship.

Fownes was not in attendance, but his son Ronan enjoyed some easy viewing at Sha Tin as the Zousain galloper travelled kindly towards the back of the pack under Hugh Bowman.

The pair made rapid headway when unleashed in the straight, powering down the centre of the track to win by a comfortable length and a half, much to the delight of Ronan Fownes.

“We felt that his work in the morning was good and his trials at Conghua were nice. His trial on the dirt was a little bit of a query, but he came and did it well today,” said Ronan Fownes.

“Hugh got him in a good position, three-wide with cover, and he came out at the perfect time to get the win. He was definitely an eye-catcher and hopefully he can go on with it this season.

“The owners are very friendly people so it’s great to get a winner for them first time up – it’s always tough to do so hopefully this horse can keep going with it.”

The victory took Caspar Fownes to 36 winners for the season – one clear of nearest rival Mark Newnham.

Injury-plagued Champion strikes

Circuit Champion rewarded trainer Danny Shum Chap-shing and his owners for their patience after recording a dominant second-up victory in the first section of the Class Four Fat Choi Handicap.

Struck down by a pair of major leg injuries and a pelvis injury before starting his career, Circuit Champion ran a strong second on debut and went one better when he bolted in by two and a quarter lengths on Thursday.

“He’s had injuries all over, but he can win more races. I’ve got confidence in him – he’s a nice horse,” Shum said.

Settling in the box seat from gate one, Circuit Champion travelled smoothly under Keith Yeung Ming-lun before coming off the inside and surging past pacesetter Riding High at the 150m.

From there the five-year-old was never threatened as he comfortably accounted for Crossborderdude, with Riding High close behind in third.

Ting’s dream start to Lunar New Year

Jimmy Ting Koon-ho hopes winning the first race of the Lunar New Year with Come Fast Fay Fay is a sign of things to come ahead of a big month for the handler.

“This year I hope is better – I hope to win more races,” Ting said after Come Fast Fay Fay delivered him his 10th win of the season.

Ridden perfectly by Richard Kingscote, Come Fast Fay Fay overcame a slow start to settle midfield on the rail and was taken off the inside to make his run in the straight.

The son of Wrote found clear running passing the 300m and wore down Majestic Delight to win by half a length, breaking through for his first triumph at start 10.

“This horse is four years old, but he’s still not mature and he’s still very green. I hope after this win he will improve,” Ting said.

“Today was very lucky – he was a bit slow to start, but he got on the rail and the last 300m he got room to go.”

Ting will bid for more Classic Series glory in March, with sensational Classic Mile victor Little Paradise bound for the Classic Cup (1,800m) and HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m).

Jubilant Jamie

Jamie Richards celebrated his 100th Hong Kong winner when Jubilant Winner capitalised on barrier one and a light weight to claim the second section of the Class Three Yue Yee Handicap (1,200m).

Heavily backed into $6.5, Jubilant Winner settled fourth on the inside and launched a powerful run once Alexis Badel hooked him to the centre of the track in the straight.

He collared the $2.9 favourite Happy Index at the 50m and drew clear to beat that galloper by a length and a quarter, delivering Richards a milestone success.

In his third season in Hong Kong, the accomplished Kiwi handler moved to 12 wins for the term.

McMonagle conjures upset result

Dylan Browne McMonagle produced a masterful front-running ride to help Riding Together offset barrier 13 and score an upset win in the Class Three Kut Cheong Handicap (1,400m).

Set a task from the wide gate, McMonagle sent David Eustace’s $35 chance forward to find the front and he was never headed when beating Super Express by half a length.

“Nice to get a winner with Dylan. We’ve known each other for a long time – he rode winners for me in Australia and he gave the horse a lovely ride,” Eustace said.

“To do that from stall 13 against a decent field, it was definitely the best field he’s faced.”