Brett Crawford enjoyed another memorable evening in Hong Kong as he secured his first winning double at Happy Valley, while fellow trainer Caspar Fownes climbed to second place in the trainers’ standings with a pair of victories of his own. The meeting also delivered success for British jockeys Hollie Doyle and Richard Kingscote, adding to a competitive night at the city circuit.
Crawford’s first winner came through Ninja Derby in the Class Five Tai Lam Chung Handicap over 1,800 metres. The South African trainer has made an impressive start to his Hong Kong career, having already landed a double at Sha Tin earlier in the season. With jockey Lyle Hewitson taking control of the race early on, Ninja Derby travelled comfortably and maintained the advantage even as he began to tire in the final stages. Crawford said the plan was always to position the horse closer to the lead, especially after a slightly conservative ride last time due to concerns about the distance. He noted that the 1,800 metres is likely Ninja Derby’s upper limit, but praised Hewitson for giving the horse exactly the ride he needed.
Two races later, Crawford was celebrating again when Genius Baby delivered a determined performance to win section one of the Class Four Tai Tam Handicap over 1,200 metres. Partnered by Karis Teetan, Genius Baby showed composure and bravery when he pushed through a narrowing gap in the home straight. After being unlucky on his previous start when a closing gap halted his momentum, the gelding made full use of his chance this time and pulled ahead to score by a comfortable margin. Crawford said that recovering lost momentum at Happy Valley is always difficult, which made the win even more satisfying.
Caspar Fownes also enjoyed a successful night, securing a double that lifted him to second in the trainers’ championship. His runners showed consistency across the card, reinforcing his reputation as one of the most reliable and experienced conditioners at the track. The victories further tightened the competition among the top trainers as the season progresses.
The evening brought additional highlights through the performances of Hollie Doyle and Richard Kingscote, who both secured wins and continued to impress local fans. Their success demonstrated the growing impact of international jockeys in Hong Kong racing and added another layer of excitement to a busy night of competition.
The meeting at Happy Valley showcased strong rides, strategic pacing and the kind of close finishes that the track is known for. With Crawford and Fownes both celebrating doubles, and international jockeys adding to the story, the midweek card delivered a compelling snapshot of the depth and energy of Hong Kong racing.
