By ALAN AITKEN in Racing Post, HKwww.racing.scmp.comCaspar Fownes forged clear of John Moore in the trainers' championship with a double at Happy Valley last night, but the title race may still go down to the final day at Sha Tin on Wednesday. Fownes and Moore began the night on equal terms with 62 wins but O'Reilly Magic (Zac Purton) and Whiplash (Matthew Chadwick) sent Fownes clear without reply from Moore, who had White Jade narrowly beaten in the final event."It's far from over, there's

By ALAN AITKEN in Racing Post, HK

www.racing.scmp.com

Caspar Fownes forged clear of John Moore in the trainers' championship with a double at Happy Valley last night, but the title race may still go down to the final day at Sha Tin on Wednesday. Fownes and Moore began the night on equal terms with 62 wins but O'Reilly Magic (Zac Purton) and Whiplash (Matthew Chadwick) sent Fownes clear without reply from Moore, who had White Jade narrowly beaten in the final event.

"It's far from over, there's a lot of racing left still and I've got too much respect for John Moore and John Size to say it's finished," Fownes said. "John Size in particular worries me even though he's four behind because I think he still has a lot of bullets left to fire. I'm having fun, I'm in a great position but I've got my head on backwards watching for these other guys in the last two meetings."

Fownes gave particular thanks to rival trainer Tony Cruz, to whom Chadwick is allocated, after the win of Whiplash in the sixth race.

"Tony originally declared Matthew for the second emergency, Floral Picasso, but after I talked to him he let me put Matthew on Whiplash," Fownes explained. "The weight allowance and the great ride that he gave it made the difference between winning and losing and every win is so important right now."

Moore was narrowly denied in the final race, making his record nine minor placings from 30 runners since Viva Pataca was his last winner on May 31 and Fownes and Size have gobbled away the big lead he once held in the championship.

"Caspar has to be the favourite now, but I think it's great for racing to have the three top trainers perhaps going to a final day where anyone can win," Moore said. "I've got seven runners on the weekend and probably a similar number next Wednesday and I'll be taking a leaf out of Caspar's book and using some apprentice claims on some of them to try and offset where they've got to in the handicap," Moore said.

"What will be will be. We need good draws and some good rides but we're still in there and it's great for the sport. When John Size won his first title, he and Ivan Allan went down to the final meeting before it was decided and I think it would be great if we see something like that again."