Caspar Fownes will head to Happy Valley on Wednesday night looking to put Sunday’s “heart-wrenching” loss of big-name import Enrich Delight behind him.

The four-year-old – who raced as Chenier in Australia – broke down during the Classic Mile at Sha Tin and was euthanised after suffering multiple fractures in his left fore fetlock.

“It was heart-wrenching, he was such a lovely horse,” Fownes said. “Who knows what his future could have been, he was just the right horse for Hong Kong.”

The former Godolphin galloper was sent out a $3.60 second elect by punters after a win and a third from two Hong Kong starts.

Blake Shinn and Excellent Proposal emerge victorious after drama-filled Classic Mile

“He had a beautiful temperament and when they settle in and perform straight off the bat, you know you’re in business,” Fownes said.

Fownes also had the favourite in the race but took no solace from Sky Darci’s sixth, three and a half lengths behind winner Excellent Proposal.

“It was a very substandard run. It’s not like him because he’s so honest,” the trainer said, adding that he’ll make the call in the coming days whether to push onto the Classic Cup.

“We’ll see how he is and we’ll plan from there. He’s a little bit [stiff in his joints] so we’ve just got to go over him. I would say that he should bounce back, good horses always bounce back and we can forgive them one substandard race.”

There were some positives for Fownes to take out of Sunday’s meeting, with Southern Legend producing a gutsy second behind Golden Sixty in the Group One Stewards’ Cup (1,600m) and Rise High running on for fifth after a lengthy lay-off.

“What can you say – what a legend. It was exciting for a while,” Fownes said. “Obviously Golden Sixty is a true champion but you can’t knock Southern Legend, he’s beaten everything else.

“I was so happy [with Rise High], after 13 months and all those horses were rock-hard fit and he’s only got beaten two and a half lengths.

“He just relaxed at the back and worked home nicely. The plan now is to strip him a bit fitter with some trials and then go to the Gold Cup.”

While Rise High will tackle Golden Sixty again over the 2,000m of the Gold Cup on February 21, Southern Legend will step back in trip for the Group One Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m) on the same day.

First things first, though, and Fownes takes seven runners to the city circuit on Wednesday, including last-start Sha Tin winner Royal Bomb, who could enter the four-year-old series conversation with a big showing in the Class Three Des Voeux Handicap (1,650m).

“He’s only rated 75 but if he wins again he’s almost there, especially if he wins over a mile and then he’ll go a bit longer and you never know,” Fownes said.

“[The Derby] field right now is up in the air – there’s nothing you’re going to say is going to do it easily like Golden Sixty did last year. I think this race will give us a clearer picture of where we are.”

Golden Sixty extends winning streak to 12 despite close shave: ‘I knew I would get there’

Kurpany is also looking to string together a second consecutive victory in the Class Three Connaught Handicap (1,000m) but will have to do so carrying 12 pounds more than when he saluted at the course and distance earlier this month.

“He copped it with the [11-point ratings hit] and he copped it again with the 11 draw, so it’s a double whammy,” Fownes said. “But he’s in great form so hopefully if they go hard the draw won’t matter, he should be able to pick them up and give a big kick.”