Latest news with #MarkNewnham
South China Morning Post
26-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Mark Newnham confident ‘fantastic' Spicy Gold can continue consistent Happy Valley streak
Spicy Gold (purple colours) gets up close to home at Happy Valley in March. Photos: Kenneth Chan Mark Newnham is hoping his ultra-consistent Spicy Gold can collect another cheque in the Class Three Seine Handicap (1,200m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. Alexis Badel has built up a brilliant partnership with Newnham's So You Think galloper, who has won three of his nine starts this season. After ending last campaign with a Class Four course and distance win, Spicy Gold has gone from strength to strength this term, doubling up on return in the same grade. He completed a track and trip Class Four hat-trick on his next start, lashing down the outside in taking style after a patient ride from Badel. Spicy Gold gets there! Mark Newnham's galloper returns a fourth course and distance win with @AlexisBadel, capping a double for the trainer tonight... 🔥#HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 5, 2025 After two seconds in Class Three company, he broke through at the fifth attempt, once again diving late after sitting on the shoulder of the leader throughout the journey. Spicy Gold will arrive on the back of another good second and Newnham does not see any reason the good times will not keep rolling. 'He's probably the most consistent horse in my stable – he hasn't missed a cheque all season, winning four times since July,' said Newnham. 'He's finished second three times too and even when he didn't place, he still collected some prize money. 'He's been fantastic all season [and] for all that now he probably has found his right mark on 75. Three of his wins have been in Class Four so to be on 75 and only winning in Class Three once, he's probably near the peak of his powers. HK Racing News Get updates direct to your inbox Sign up Best Bets Racing News By registering you agree to our T&Cs & Privacy Policy Error: Please enter a valid email. The email address is already in use. Please login to subscribe. Error, please try again later. THANK YOU You are one the list. Mark Newnham celebrates after Spicy Gold's most recent Happy Valley win. 'He's got some gate speed so he can put himself in a good position from a decent draw. He's not showing me any signs that he won't hold his form again and he's in a nice race against horses similar to him.' Newnham also runs Tactical Command in the Class Four Ciron Handicap (1,200m), who has snared a pair of wins this season over the track and trip. He arrived fast and late to grab both of those wins, most recently when saluting at $12 with a strong late surge under Badel. Things have not gone to plan since, with barriers 11 at Sha Tin and 12 at the Valley putting paid to his chances before the gates had even opened. Tactical Command goes over the top to win at the Valley in March. Much to the relief of Newnham, his Charm Spirit gelding has drawn barrier four this Wednesday, which is giving him plenty of cause for optimism. 'The draw makes a big difference. The statistics tell you that it's nearly impossible to win from stall 12 at the Valley so he was always up against it last time,' said Newnham. 'He's won four races, with the draws being one, one, two and four for those, so that tells you how crucial the draw is for him. Trainer Mark Newnham has built up a good partnership with jockey Alexis Badel. 'He doesn't have enough pace to go forward from outside draws, but when he draws inside he can take up a nice position. 'The handicapper has him pegged pretty well with where he's at – he's certainly improved this season but has paid for his consistency. 'That said, he's got a good chance because he's holding his form well and has drawn in the perfect place – inside barriers are absolutely crucial to him. 'Alexis Badel's strike rate for the stable has been excellent, he rides Happy Valley well and gets on well with him, so that helps too.'
South China Morning Post
12-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Andrea Atzeni hopes improving Crimson Flash can help him raise his bat at Happy Valley
The 34-year-old has some big chances on Wednesday night as he hones in on a century of Hong Kong winners Andrea Atzeni will be hoping last-start winner Crimson Flash can draw him one winner closer to his Hong Kong century at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. The Sardinian is just two winners away from raising his bat after two fruitful seasons in Hong Kong and victory on Crimson Flash could also draw him level with last campaign's tally. The Mark Newnham-trained three-year-old doubled his career total and got off the mark in Hong Kong with a very comfortable win in the Class Three Violet Handicap (1,200m) last month. Ridden by Atzeni for the first time, he bombed down the outside after a midfield trip to score with plenty in hand and he is well drawn in stall six for his return to the Valley. Crimson Flash is lightning quick late! @Atzenijockey takes a double at Happy Valley tonight atop Mark Newnham's galloper... ⚡️#HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 16, 2025 That form has been boosted by Chateauneuf winning last Wednesday and despite going up 7lbs in the ratings, he looks to be Atzeni's best chance of the evening. 'He arrived in Hong Kong with only one run under his belt, so he's very unexposed,' said Atzeni. 'He was nicely on top over course and distance last time and still showed inexperience, so I think there is more to come from him. 'He has a nice draw to work with and a nice racing weight as well. I'm really hopeful he can run well again.' The 34-year-old also has plenty of other chances to enhance his total, with the smart Nimble Nimbus hoping to snap a 14-month losing run in the feature Class Two Choi Hung Handicap (1,650m). Andrea Atzeni's superb season continues! 🤯 He takes a second Group 3 this term as Nimble Nimbus just outlasts Five G Patch for Ricky Yiu... 🏆@Atzenijockey | @AtTheRaces | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 4, 2024 Atzeni was on board when Nimble Nimbus won a red-hot Group Three Centenary Vase (1,800m) at Sha Tin last February, defeating the likes of Five G Patch, Straight Arron and La City Blanche with a power-packed finishing effort. This season's form has not quite scaled those heights, but he has now slipped down the ratings to a fairer mark and he was not disgraced when finishing fifth in the Class One Shan Kwong Handicap (1,650m) at the Valley back in February. 'It's a small field with only seven runners, but it's still very competitive as you'd expect,' said Atzeni. 'He's not getting any younger, but he can definitely still run well in a race like this. 'He actually ran his best race of this season in a course and distance Class One in February when he finished off well and I'm hoping we can do the same again.' After a trio of Hong Kong winners in 2014 before his two more recent full-time seasons, Atzeni sits on the cusp of a big milestone – as well ticking off his early season target of flashing past last season's tally. With 18 meetings to go and just one winner needed to equal last season, perhaps Atzeni can aim even higher, but a Group winner is something he desperately wants to cap off the campaign in style. 'I came into the season wanting to beat last season's tally as my main goal, so it's nice to be so close to doing that with time to spare,' said Atzeni. 'The one thing I've been missing this season is a Group winner – I had two last season with Taj Dragon and Nimble Nimbus. 'I've ridden lots of nice young ones and good types, but I haven't had one in a big race yet. There's still time, of course, and every winner counts.'
South China Morning Post
18-03-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
SCMP Best Bets: Stable switch can Power veteran galloper to Valley victory
Wednesday's top tips from the Post's racing team Sam Agars POWER KOEPP - R3 (1) Should improve for Mark Newnham and has the tools to win in Class Four Jay Rooney BEAUTY DESTINY - R9 (5) Can handle the rise to Class Two dropping 10 pounds on latest win Trackwork Spy BEAUTY DESTINY - R9 (5) Looks set to continue his incredible form and notch a third straight win Phillip Woo M UNICORN - R7 (1) Has been building towards a win and gets a golden opportunity here Shannon (Vincent Wong) POWER KOEPP - R3 (1) Lines up for a new stable and looks ready to score with Hugh Bowman aboard Racing Post Online NINJA DERBY - R5 (12) Looks spot on after a good third at Happy Valley last time out Tom Wood FLYING FORTRESS - R7 (11) Big run last start when a close second, can go one better here
