Ng’s Sigma can get him back in winning groove
IT IS fair to say the Caspar Fownes stable are in the doldrums at present.
With just one win from his last 47 runners, and no success at the last three Happy Valley meetings, you can guarantee Fownes will be scratching his head with frustration.
The proclaimed King of the Valley, who was leading the trainers’ title race just a few weeks back, has since dropped to third. He’s now three wins behind leader Danny Shum and it will be imperative for the stable to strike winning form again.
With 35 of the stable’s 51 winners coming at the city track, Fownes will be hoping the likes of Sky Vino in the Hyacinth Handicap (2.45pm) over the extended mile, Sky Cap in the six-furlong Violet Handicap (3.15pm) and Sky Trust in the Thistle Handicap (3.50pm) over the same trip can get him back into the winning grove.
Stable companion Captain Link in the first division of the six-furlong Dendrobium Handicap (12.40pm) is another who holds strong claims on form but comes up against progressive handicapper GEORGIAN SIGMA.
This improving son of Shalaa has had three runs to date and shown promise in all of them, including when sent off an odds-on favourite when he finished fourth to smart galloper Salon S at Sha Tin in November.
Given over a three-month break after that performance, he returned with an encouraging effort over the minimum trip at Sha Tin in March and prepped for this contest with a smart track trial victory 12 days ago.
With a favourable inside draw in stall four in his favour, he should get the perfect transit during the contest and be hard to beat.
POINTERS
Georgian Sigma 12.40pm Happy Valley