It is a huge week for championship-leading trainer Mark Newnham, who after saddling seven runners at Sha Tin on Wednesday, will seek top-level glory with stable star My Wish in Sunday’s HK$13 million G1 Stewards’ Cup over 1600m.
Group 2 victor My Wish, who has six wins from 15 starts including the 2025 Hong Kong Classic Mile, faces mighty gallopers Romantic Warrior and Voyage Bubble – winners of a combined 17 Group 1 races – in the Triple Crown’s opener this weekend at Sha Tin.
Newnham said: “My Wish galloped this morning (Tuesday) and it was very pleasing work. He goes into Sunday’s race as well as we can have him.
“Romantic Warrior is a world-class horse and Voyage Bubble is a champion Hong Kong horse, so it’s no easy task, but they’re getting to the latter stages of their careers and we’ve still got a bit ahead of us, and I think he’s still improving. We’re going in fit, well and we’ll let the result take care of itself.”
Flying Artie gelding My Wish trialled on 10 January over 1700m, surging into first place in 1min 46.91secs under Alexis Badel.
“The trial at Happy Valley was an opportunity to engage him a little bit more, just to stimulate him a bit, because he hasn’t really left Sha Tin for two years. It was a good chance to get some miles into his legs, and I was really happy with the way he relaxed and finished off,” Newnham said.
Boasting 32 wins this season, including a jurisdiction-leading seven on the dirt, Newnham saddles Talents Ambition and New Forest in Wednesday’s HK$3.12 million Class 2 Tin Chak Handicap (1650m, dirt).
“They’re both in good form. One will probably be the leader, and one will probably be the horse at the tail. It might be tempo-related, the result, but both horses are going well.
“New Forest is building a good record, especially when he gets control of the race. Talents Ambition hasn’t been in many suitable races this season, he’s only run at this distance and in this class once when he was first-up this season,” Newnham said.
Andrea Atzeni partners New Forest, while Lyle Hewitson reunites with Talents Ambition, who is entered for the Grade 3 Burj Nahaar (1600m, dirt) on 28 February and the Grade 2 Godolphin Mile (1600m, dirt) on 28 March. Both races are run at Meydan.
“There’s not a lot of races for him in this class, but we’ve kept him ticking over and his trials have been good and so has his work, so I’d expect him to run to his best. We’ll know more after this race (regarding Dubai),” Newnham said.
Justify gelding New Forest debuts in Class 2 after a pair of Class 3 wins. “He’s a horse that is very good from the front when he can control the speed, and it looks like he’ll get that in this race. He’s a good, solid horse who has carried good weight in Class 3, but this is another step up again.
“He’s pretty foolproof. He wins the start most times, gets across, doesn’t pull, and saves energy. These horses always give themselves a chance to win,” Newnham said.
Newnham is represented by debut winner Supreme Sea in the second section of the Class 4 Marble Handicap (1200m, dirt) under Hewitson from barrier No 3.
Newnham said: “He hasn’t been the quickest beginner. He recovered quickly last start from that inside gate, and hopefully this time, he just makes a clean break and if he gets there in the right position, then he’ll be hard to beat.”- Hong Kong Jockey Club
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Exceed The Wish should have an edge over his rivals on his Class 5 debut and shapes as a leading contender despite the wide draw. Robot Knight suited by the switch back to the AWT and is expected to show improvement. Sonic Boom underperformed last start but his previous efforts suggest he could bounce back anytime in this grade. Only U with a more conservative racing style, he will make a strong late surge if the pace suits. Noble Deluxe remains a maiden after 17 starts, but should not be overlooked in this moderate field.
Race 2: Run Run Timing found the line well late last start and the step up to 1650m, where he was placed once in Class 4, should pose no problem. Jolly Jumper showed improvement last start and looks one to follow given a highly winnable mark. Courier Magic boasts a reliable record in Class 5 and should play a major role, though the wide draw raises concerns. Hailtothevictors capable but unpredictable, he could cause an upset on his day. Atomic Beauty raced on the speed and stuck on well for third last time out. He should be right in the mix.
Race 3: Speedy Smartie has been in consistent form this season and comes off a solid second over this distance on turf. Juicy Dragon finished a meritorious third despite being trapped wide last start, and with a smoother trip, he could make amends. Monta Frutta stormed home for second last start but will need some luck from a wide draw. Day Day Victory his last run was better than it reads and he deserves another chance. Glaciated should settle closer to the speed from a low draw, as he did when winning two starts ago.
Race 4: Soleil Fighter should be highly competitive in this small field given his strong recent form, and his positive racing style ticks another box. New Forest has shown a great liking for this track and could be hard to run down if allowed to dictate. Capital Delight will relish the drop from Group 3 to Class 2, where he is a proven performer. Talents Ambition highly suited by the rise to 1650m, a distance at which he boasts an eye-catching record of three wins and four placings from eight attempts.
Race 5: Supreme Sea an impressive debut winner, he looks poised to secure a double from a favourable draw in Class 4. Vulcanus caught the eye flashing home late from a wide draw last start, and with a better gate, he should finish in the money. Mr Cool always a threat in Class 4 and looks one to follow with Purton staying aboard, following a fast-finishing third. So My Folks finished a close third on his AWT debut last time out but the widest draw could make things tricky. Fortune Whiskey has mixed his form of late but could run a cheeky race if things fall his way.
Race 6: Forever Folks let down well to finish fourth in a slowly run race last start and the booking of Purton adds intrigue. Glorious Success has dropped in the rating and could surprise at odds with the in-form Jerry Chau aboard. Firefoot possesses tactical speed and looks well weighted to run a big race here. Foremost Teddy has secured back-to-back victories in Class 5 and remains a strong chance despite stepping back up to Class 4. Viva Taste should appreciate the return to the AWT, where his sole placing has occurred.
Race 7: Happy Universe with versatility in running, he should enjoy a smooth trip from a low draw and go one better after a slashing second from a wide gate last start. Sight Dreamer led from start to finish last time out, though aided by a slow tempo, and could repeat the dose under similar conditions. California Star ran on well late off a slow tempo last start and is worth considering with Purton aboard. Never Peter Out the drop in class and the rise in distance are both positives, making him one to watch closely. Leslie a typical closer, he will need a genuine pace to be seen at his best.
Race 8: Blazing Wind posted the fastest final 400m to claim third last start, and with a better draw, he’s well placed to make amends. Armour War Eagle has gone close in his recent starts and the light weight should see him highly competitive. Wonderstar a natural frontrunner, he should deliver a strong performance from a low draw. Must Go produced a fair effort last start and it wouldn’t surprise to see him finish in the Top 3. Gummy Gummy suited by the drop back in distance and the return to the AWT is another positive.
Race 9: Sky Vino had excuses last start (raced wide) and could prove a value pick with the apprentice claim if he has better luck in running. Allcash has encountered traffic in his last two runs and could finally break through in this class with a smoother trip. Another World has regained form recently and must be respected with a favourable draw. Dragon Air Force a proven performer at this level, he has drawn well to make his presence felt after a creditable fifth last start. Definitive placed at long odds last time out but the wide draw poses a challenge. - iRACE Magazine