Fresh off a treble at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, Caspar Fownes is confident Karma has what it takes to handle the step up to Group Three company in Sunday’s Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse (1,800m).

Fownes banged in a three-timer in the space of four races at the city circuit and hopes Karma can continue his rich vein of form at Sha Tin, with the six-year-old bidding for a fourth win from his past five starts.

The son of Turn Me Loose ran down a solid tempo from the rear of the field in the Class Two HKJC 140th Anniversary Cup (1,600m) on October 20, digging into his stamina reserves to stretch a length and a half clear of the runner-up.

On Sunday, Karma will carry the minimum weight of 115 pounds under Alexis Badel when he steps up to 1,800m for the first time, with the 89-rated gelding racing from 10 pounds out of the handicap.

“I think he’s a chance,” Fownes said. “He’ll run well. There are a few nice horses in there – you have a Derby winner and everything – so it’s a solid enough race.”

Karma collected three wins from 10 starts last term, running with credit in the middle of the campaign before relishing a rain-softened surface to power to consecutive wins over a mile.

The six-year-old hit the line with plenty of conviction for a patiently ridden third on seasonal reappearance in September before thundering down the outside last start for his fifth career win.

That win saw Karma brush aside some promising types, including the progressive Patch Of Theta and Hong Kong Derby hope Stunning Peach, who ran on for fifth despite finding plenty of traffic under Zac Purton.

“It was a nice win,” Fownes said. “Zac’s horse didn’t have much room in that race and they would’ve fought it out for sure, but it was a good effort. Let’s see how we go on Sunday.

“It looks like he’ll enjoy the 1,800m, that’s what he’s looking for. He is out of the handicap but we don’t know where his true rating is.”

Karma will jump from gate 12 of 14 when he bids to give Fownes a second win in the 1,800m Group Three after the handler tasted success with Southern Legend in 2019.

Fownes will also give Senor Toba a spin in the contest and admits the seven-year-old will “come into his own when he gets to 2,400m”.

Sitting second in the trainers’ championship on 15 wins – one behind Pierre Ng Pang-chi – Fownes saddles eight runners on the 10-race card.

Sky Trust will aim to go one better in the Class Three Santa Monica Handicap (1,400m) after being forced to negotiate a troubled passage as the $2.4 favourite two weeks ago.

“He was a little bit stiff the other day, but there’s no reason he won’t be competitive,” Fownes said. “I think he’s got a bit more [to offer] and we’ll probably increase his distance after this run.”

Lyle Hewitson hops aboard the consistent son of So You Think for the first time, with the pair jumping from stall seven.