Newnham to end season on a high

Mark Newnham’s stable is home to one of Hong Kong’s most exciting horses and the trainer, a superb winner of 43 races in his second campaign, heads into the Season Finale at Happy Valley on Wednesday, already keen on what 2025/26 may have in store.

Newnham said: “As long as I built on last year, I was always going to be happy. I would say it’s probably exceeded expectations as far as being able to win a feature race with My Wish.

“Over the last three months we’ve had a lot of second placings (10 since the start of June), but I’ve had a few wide draws and they’re horses that haven’t had a lot of exposure, so hopefully they’re winners next season – which I think they will be. Overall, I’m very happy.”

Eclipsing his 31-win maiden term, Newnham continues to make waves with a raft of young horses in Hong Kong. The 57-year-old handler is entrenched in the championship’s top 10 and enjoyed a breakout year with My Wish – honoured as this season’s Most Improved Horse at the recent Champion Awards following his 51-point rating rise to a career-high 105.

“I think that was a just reward for horse and owners. I think the best is ahead of him and we can be going into next season pretty hopeful,” Newnham said.

Newnham saddles Same To You, Lucky Sam Gor, Tactical Command, Setanta and Full Credit at Happy Valley. Full Credit is having his second run post-setback in the HK$2.84 million Class 2 Lucky Patch Handicap (1200m).

“He’s (Full Credit) sort of got to show us that he’s recovered after throat surgery. A below par run his first run back, so it’d be nice to see him improve,” Newnham said.

Tactical Command has won twice at the city circuit this season and heads into the Class 4 Fast Most Furious Handicap (1200m) aiming to turn consecutive seconds into more success, most recently placing behind Victor The Rapid last Wednesday at the Valley.

“He backs up well. He’s been consistent all season and I don’t see him going backwards from that,” Newnham said.

Lucky Sam Gor continues to make headway and chases a first win in the Class 4 Let Me Fight Handicap (1200m) when he breaks from draw five under Matthew Chadwick.

“His last run was excellent. He was four-wide the whole way with no cover. He’s back to 1200 metres but he has trialled well at Happy Valley, so I’d expect he’ll run a good race,” Newnham said.

Following one win at Sha Tin on Sunday, Chadwick will continue to pursue Tony Cruz Award leader Matthew Poon at the season’s 88th and final fixture. Poon tops the race to be crowned leading homegrown rider with 36 wins. Chadwick currently has 35 triumphs, while Derek Leung sits third on 34 after also partnering a winner last weekend.

Leung said: “We still need to see. A few of my rides look to have a decent chance, but I want to thank all the owners and trainers for their support this season. I can’t complain and I hope it’s a smooth end to the season – let’s see if I have the luck.”

Both Leung and Chadwick have eight rides. Poon has seven, including Full Credit for Newnham in the Class 2 dash, as he guns for a first Tony Cruz Award in a season which saw him win the HK$5.35 million G2 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m) on Straight Arron.

Poon also partners Ragnarr, Flying Wrote, Better And Better, Circuit Victory, Leslie and Copartner Fleet. Leung’s rides are You’remyeverything, Genius Baby, Vulcanus, Fortunate Son, Cosmo Light, Sterling Wongchoy, Prestige Always and Regal Gem.

Chadwick’s other chances come via Winning Heart, Winning Diamond, Figopumpkin, Grand Nova, Wah May Wai Wai, Aeris Nova and Thriving Brothers. – Hong Kong Jockey Club

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: My Intelligent boasts solid Class 4 form and looks ready to run a big race back in Class 5, especially with the apprentice claim. Triumphant Warrior signalled his readiness on his Class 5 debut last start and must be respected with Purton staying aboard. Dan Attack has trialled well for his return and improvement is expected first-up. Ragnarr narrowly beaten last start and looks well placed to make amends from a good draw. Winning Heart with a strong turn of foot, he can make his presence felt late if the race unfolds in his favour.

Race 2: Thunder Prince his recent efforts have been encouraging, and with Purton taking the reins, he shapes as a strong contender despite the wide draw. Find My Love with the drop in class, he could surprise at value back in Class 4, where he is one from one. Monarch County ran a strong fifth last start despite being held up at the closing stages. Island Breezes has dropped in the rating and looks capable of causing an upset. Flash Star a newcomer who has shown tactical speed in trials, he could be hard to catch with the apprentice claim.

Race 3: Argento Ocean finished strongly on debut in a race from which the form has been franked, making him one to follow second-up. Lucky Sam Gor finished second in a strong race at Sha Tin last start and appears well placed to go one better on his return to Happy Valley. Better And Better has had no luck in his last two starts and could secure a Top 3 finish with a smoother run. California Blitz ran on well to finish second last start but the wide draw remains a concern this time. Brownneedsfurther produced a fair effort on debut and could show improvement as he gains experience.

Race 4: Lean Hero well below his last winning mark, he looks capable of bouncing back anytime in Class 4. S J Tourbillon has scored his last two starts in emphatic fashion and looks poised for a hat-trick despite carrying top weight. Stormi has not been beaten far in recent starts and could surprise at odds. Good Luck Win a strong frontrunner, he could be hard to run down if he manages to cross early from the wide draw. Supreme Agility an underrated type, he appears well placed in Class 4 and could sneak into the placings.

Race 5: Honest Witness flashed home late into third from a wide draw last start. With Purton jumping aboard, he could make amends from a favourable gate. Grand Nova let down well in a race with franked form last start, and should find this field more manageable. Dancing Classics had genuine excuses last start and deserves another chance, given his impressive debut win two starts ago. Tactical Command backing up quickly from a solid last-start effort, he should run well from an inside gate. Telecom Power gets in well at the weights and could cause an upset with a favourable draw.

Race 6: Chain Of Gold encountered traffic issues last start and pulled up with blood in the trachea. He could make amends from pole position provided he’s fully fit. Amazing Run stormed home to secure a brilliant win last time out and a double looks well within his reach. Galaxy Witness appears overdue for a win and his consistency could be rewarded in this race. Endued scored a comfortable win in this class last start and remains a strong chance. Sunday’s Serenade will unleash a strong late burst if they go too hard up front, and should not be overlooked.

Race 7: Rocket Spade has finally drawn a decent gate and should be highly competitive if he settles closer to the speed. Definitive landed a tenacious win last start and looks always a threat in Class 3. Highland Rahy a dangerous frontrunner, he could hang in there all day under the right race shape. Romantic Laos charged home strongly to miss by just half a length last time out. From a low draw, he maps well to go one better. Prestige Always his recent efforts have been solid and he should continue his strong on-pace performances.

Race 8: Raging Blizzard finished strongly into second in a quality race at Sha Tin last time out and looks well placed to go one better returning to Happy Valley. Beauty Waves returned to his best last start, and a double looks well within his reach with Purton taking the reins. Aeris Nova was far from disgraced on his Class 2 debut last time out, following a strong win in Class 3. Kaholo Angel has scored three wins from his past five starts and looks a strong contender here. Magic Control could prove hard to run down if allowed an uncontested lead, though the 1200m trip is slightly beyond his best.

Race 9: Young Arrow found the line well late in a slowly run race last start and appears well placed to make amends from a good draw. Dragon Four Seas with a positive racing style, he’s poised to secure a hat-trick after two consecutive wins. Kyrus Dragon better than his recent form suggests and could surprise at long odds from a low draw. Romantic Son has mixed his form lately but can run a big race on his day. Copartner Fleet has done little wrong in both starts to date, and with more upside to come, he remains a strong contender despite stepping up to Class 3.