The Caspar Fownes-trained Sky Field (Deep Field) made a big statement to end last season and picked up this term exactly where he left off, dazzling with a first-up victory in Hong Kong.
He goes again in Thursday’s Class 3 Shanghai Handicap (1200m) but his handler is being level-headed about his chances despite his exciting young gun taking on a field of only six opponents.
“He’s a horse with a lot of upside – he’ll carry 133 pounds on the weekend and even though it’s a small field, in this game you still have to respect your opponents because someone can get a soft sectional and pinch it or you can get caught up in traffic,” Fownes said.
“He’s one of the few horses that really excites me – he’s got a big engine and he’s still learning his trade, so there’s a lot of upside with him.”
Fownes could target his charge, who was purchased out of Trelawney Stud’s 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 draft, at the first leg of the three-race Four-Year-Old Classic Series, the HK$12 million Hong Kong Classic Mile on Sunday in January.
“His next race, no matter what, will be a Class 2 race and it’s whether or not I go to 1400 metres, but at this stage I’ve earmarked a contest on the 24th (October) for him to step up in trip and in class, so hopefully he can get the job done for us on Thursday,” Fownes said.
Meanwhile, the talented Mighty Giant (NZ) (Power) will kick off his season in the Class 2 Beijing Handicap (1400m).
The five-year-old son of Power bagged four wins in his first campaign and returns after spending his summer at Conghua.
“I think he’ll move to up a 100 rating, he’s still not fully matured yet,” trainer Ricky Yiu said.
“I like to base him at Conghua, I sent him there to have a good break before he runs again this season because he will have a tougher season than last.
“It’ll be interesting to see how he goes in Class 2, especially with the wide draw but I think he’ll do well – the feedback from Conghua has been positive.”
