Caspar Fownes Confident Beautiful First Ready for Korean Sprint Championship
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Beautiful First is primed for its international debut at the Grade 3 Korean Sprint Championship in Seoul this Sunday, September 6, after arriving in Korea in peak condition. Trainer Caspar Fownes expressed full confidence in the six-year-old chestnut's readiness, citing its composed temperament and strong trial performances, including a 1050m dirt trial victory in Hong Kong on August 25. The horse drew gate 13 for the 1200m dirt contest, with fellow Hong Kong entries Self-Improvement (gate 9) and Glorious Re-Victory (gate 16) joining the campaign. Jockey Zac Purton, who guided Self-Improvement to victory in this same race last year, will partner Beautiful First in what marks Fownes' first-ever runner at the Korean meeting.
Key Points
- Beautiful First departs from gate 13 in the Grade 3 Korean Sprint Championship (1200m, dirt) on September 6 at 3:20 PM Hong Kong time
- The six-year-old chestnut arrived in Seoul on August 25 alongside Self-Improvement (Man Ka-leung) and Glorious Re-Victory (Jim Son of Kaze)
- Beautiful First won its final workout on August 25, covering 1050m in 1:03.21 under Zac Purton, with split times of 17.1, 23.0, and 23.1 seconds
- Since arriving from Ireland in early 2023, Beautiful First has finished first in 15 dirt trials at Sha Tin and Conghua
- Fownes noted the horse's calm temperament, which helps it stay composed during travel and racing
Why It Matters
Hong Kong has won this race only twice since its inception in 2016, and a victory by Beautiful First would cement the city as a consistent force in regional sprinting. This race also tests Hong Kong's ability to compete against Japan's dominant sprinters, which have won four of the eight editions held, providing valuable insight into the competitive landscape ahead of future international assignments .
Hong Kong has won this race only twice since its inception in 2016, and a victory by Beautiful First would cement the city as a consistent force in regional sprinting. This race also tests Hong Kong's ability to compete against Japan's dominant sprinters, which have won four of the eight editions held, providing valuable insight into the competitive landscape ahead of future international assignments .