Latest news with #Newnham
South China Morning Post
05-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Mark Newnham confident of ending Happy Valley card in style with in-form gallopers
The 57-year-old handler has a pair of horses backing up off last-start victories at the city circuit on Wednesday night Mark Newnham is hoping to keep the good times rolling with last-start winners Fatal Blow and Casa Rochester at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. Casa Rochester runs in the Class Three Deauville Handicap (1,650m) off the back of shedding his maiden in very comfortable fashion over course and distance one month ago. Settled out the back, his rider Hugh Bowman made stealthy progress through the middle of the pack on the final bend and once in the clear, he charged home to get up by a nose. The winning margin didn't do the victory justice, however, and Newnham is confident his improving galloper can get the job done again with Lyle Hewitson back in the saddle. TREBLE for @HugeBowman! 🔥 Casa Rochester just salutes for a first Hong Kong win at Happy Valley over Quantum Patch for Mark Newnham...#HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 9, 2025 'It was a cosy win last time in a lower grade but his previous run in Class Three he was competitive,' said Newnham. 'With that in mind, I'm not worried about the rise in class for him. 'He's got a good draw, which is always a big positive at Happy Valley, and he's going to run a big race.' Newnham's evening could get even better just 35 minutes later when Fatal Blow also bids to back up a course-and-distance win in the card-closing Class Three Parislongchamp Handicap (1,200m). Fatal Blow has thrived over the Valley 1,200m for Newnham this season, winning on his second start by a short head after showing a really game attitude. Fatal Blow lands the final stroke! Mark Newnham makes it a Happy Valley double as @LukeFerraris gets a first for the evening... ✌️#HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 16, 2025 He disappointed in two subsequent outings, but he was back on track after a three-month break when flashing home to salute in Class Four company and he will be having just his sixth Hong Kong start on Wednesday. Newnham has paired him with in-form jockey Andrea Atzeni and is hopeful of another big run from his unexposed four-year-old. 'He's a lightly raced and improving horse,' said Newnham. 'He's been pretty solid since he arrived and he was impressive at the Valley last time. 'I think this is a nice race to introduce him to Class Three racing. Whether he takes a race or two to get there in this company, we'll find out, but he's going well. 'He's definitely got more to come after only five starts and he's finished in the money in three of those already.' Those are not the only big chances on the card for Newnham, with the 57-year-old hoping Setanta can build on a fast-finishing third at the Valley seven days ago in the Class Four Saint-Cloud Handicap (1,650m). Setanta has been plying his trade in Class Three company this season and left behind a trio of disappointing runs when lashing home off this rating last time. The drop in grade is an obvious positive to his chances and he could be sneaking in under the radar. 'That was more like it at the Valley last week,' said Newnham. 'The drop to Class Four company will be a big help to him and he has run well when backing up quickly in the past, too.' Newnham kicked off his tenure in Hong Kong with a 31-winner campaign last season and he has already smashed through that tally this term, heading into the meeting with 37 winners. His season has been headlined by My Wish, who won the Hong Kong Classic Mile before two agonising defeats in the subsequent legs of the Classic Series.
South China Morning Post
29-04-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Mark Newnham ‘proud' of My Wish as he maps out ambitious Group One campaign next season
Mark Newnham is ready for an exciting next campaign with My Wish (pink cap). Photos: Kenneth Chan My Wish is off for a well-earned rest but his trainer Mark Newnham is confident he has a bona fide Group One horse on his hands for next season. His four-year-old started the season winning off a rating of just 54 but has soared to incredible heights since that 1,200m success at Sha Tin. His crowning glory came back in January, when he was given a peach of a ride by Luke Ferraris to win the Hong Kong Classic mile ahead of a stacked field. My Wish ran two mighty seconds in the next two legs of the four-year-old Classic Series, bumping into a charging Rubylot in the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1,800m) before a desperately unlucky run in the Hong Kong Derby (2,000m). Classy as! 👏 My Wish staves off challengers to capture the first #4YOSeries leg - the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile - with @LukeFerraris for Mark Newnham... #LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) January 31, 2025 He was forced to come from last and had to spin nearly eight-wide into the straight to make his challenge, thundering down the outside and recording the fastest final 400m sectional over 2,000m in Sha Tin history in the process. He confirmed his status as one to watch for next season when running a huge race behind Red Lion, Voyage Bubble and Sunlight Power in the Group One FWD Champions Mile and Newnham is looking ahead to some big targets. 'I thought he did us proud, like he did all season,' said Newnham. 'He's been very consistent horse right from the start of it. That'll do him this campaign, but he gives us every indication we can aim high next time around. 'He led all the way over 1,200m at the first meeting of the year, so he's done a really good job. Next season, hopefully we can aim for the [Hong Kong Mile] and then the Champions Mile again.' In the immediate future, Newnham is looking forward to the chances of Mission Strike, who has Zac Purton on for the first time in the Class Four Korea Racing Authority Trophy (1,800m). Mission Strike was always outpaced on debut at Sha Tin over 1,400m, but showed improved form over the 1,800m at Happy Valley, finishing third and a flashing-home second when given a mountain to climb from last off the turn. He took a small backwards step at Sha Tin last time, but Newnham is confident he has found the key to unlocking the best from his three-year-old. 'He was reluctant to come between horses and finish the race off last time,' said Newnham. 'He's going in the blinkers this time and his two runs over the 1,800m at Happy Valley before his last run at Sha Tin were good – I think it's a good race for him, especially back at Happy Valley. 'He seems to have reacted to the blinkers and hopefully it gives him a bit more confidence. He's only a young horse with limited experience, so it's understandable that he's still learning his craft. 'He's got enough talent to be winning races and he just needs a bit of help to get there. His slow starts have forced us into racing quieter early on. 'He drew well the other day and was closer – he didn't finish off the race like we hoped but I think that was more because of his reluctance to come between horses.'
South China Morning Post
27-03-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Derby placegetter Packing Angel sidelined by knee injuries, while Ramadan heads to Australia
Packing Angel (right) finishes third behind Cap Ferrat in the Hong Kong Derby. Photos: Kenneth Chan Packing Angel won't race again until next season after pulling up from his third in the Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) with knee injuries, while fellow four-year-old Ramadan is set to continue his racing career in Australia. Trainer Francis Lui Kin-wai confirmed Packing Angel will undergo surgery on both knees after sustaining bone injuries. An impressive winner of three consecutive 1,400m races this term, the son of Shocking followed a solid fourth to Rubylot in the Classic Cup (1,800m) with a close third behind stablemate Cap Ferrat in last Sunday's Derby. 'He needs an operation. He might be out for three months,' Lui said. HISTORY AT SHA TIN! 👏👏@CWilliamsJockey wins the 148th @BMW Hong Kong Derby aboard Cap Ferrat for trainer Francis Lui over a fast-closing My Wish... #4YOSeries | #LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 23, 2025 'Sometimes you don't know with the ground and especially with a young horse.' Hong Kong's firm ground was also a consideration for trainer Mark Newnham and the Yulong Investments team when they pulled the pin on Ramadan's Hong Kong venture after two runs for the Australian handler and a long last in December's Group One Hong Kong Mile when under the care of James Ferguson. The colt arrived in the city with an impressive record in France, winning five of his 10 starts including a Group Two and pair of Group Threes at a mile. 'He'll go to Australia. We just thought he's best suited there,' Newnham said. 'His French form's on soft ground, so he'll like the softer ground in Australia. [Yulong's Zhang Yuesheng] is keen to replace him – we've already put in a replacement form.' Newnham prepared Yulong's first Hong Kong winner, Show Respect at Happy Valley in March last year, and he trains a small team for the global racing and breeding operation. Reach The Peak, a Caulfield winner from his three Australian starts, is Yulong's latest addition to Newnham's team after coming out of quarantine this week. Another of Newnham's overseas imports, Mid Winter Wind, will drop back to 1,200m for Sunday's Class Two Barker Handicap after a last-start fifth to Johannes Brahms over 1,600m. Surprise at odds of 41/1! 🤯 Well back in the field on the turn, South African Group 3 winner Mid Winter Wind scores on debut in Hong Kong for @LukeFerraris and Mark Newnham... #LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) January 31, 2025 The former South African galloper made a big impression on his Hong Kong debut when he stormed home to win by over six furlongs in January. 'He was pretty dynamic first up and then we had to have a shot to see if we could be a chance to join into the four-year-old series,' said Newnham. 'But at the mile he loomed up to win and couldn't quite finish them off and that's in line with his form in South Africa. 'I'm happy to keep him to sprinting. It looks a good race so it will be a decent test of where he's at, but he's in good condition.' The Australian handler also confirmed My Wish is on track to progress to the Group One Champions Mile on April 27 after his slashing second in the Derby. My Wish was only beaten a short head after producing the fastest final 400m over 2,000m at Sha Tin – 21.39 seconds – since sectional times were introduced in 2008. 'All going well, he'll have his chance in the Champions Mile. We'll just see how that goes in the next week or two,' Newnham said. Lui said Derby hero Cap Ferrat will progress to April 27's Group One QE II Cup (2,000m), which is expected to have a strong overseas flavour including French star Goliath and Japan's Liberty Island.
South China Morning Post
20-03-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Rubylot draws perfectly for Hong Kong Derby but My Wish dealt a blow with barrier 14
Connections of Rubylot, My Wish, Johannes Brahms and Stunning Peach at Thursday morning's Hong Kong Derby barrier draw. Photos: Kenneth Chan Classic Cup (1,800m) hero Rubylot's bid to win the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) received a big boost when he was dealt barrier four, but Thursday's crucial draw wasn't as kind to fellow leading contender My Wish. Trainer David Hayes was delighted when Rubylot was handed the ideal gate for Sunday's HK$26 million feature at Sha Tin, while Mark Newnham remained positive about My Wish's chances despite his horror draw in 14. Rubylot surged into nominal favouritism for the city's most prestigious race when he stormed home from near last to beat My Wish by three-quarters of a length in the traditional Derby lead-up race, the Classic Cup (1,800m), on March 2. 'I'm thrilled with the barrier,' said Hayes, who is striving to add to his first Derby success with filly Elegant Fashion in 2003. 'I would have hated for him to draw three times in a row wide. If he'd drawn wide, he would have had to go back but from barrier four, he can lob midfield and won't have to do as much. 'I think if Brenton [Avdulla] could have chosen a barrier, that is the one he would have chosen.' In the midst of a superb season with 34 wins, including 17 since the start of February, Avdulla is dreaming of a famous win in the race every Hong Kong-based rider, trainer and owner wants to win. 'Anyone who comes to Hong Kong wants to win a Derby, so it would be a massive thrill,' the Australian jockey said. 'Obviously California Spangle has been a pin-up horse for me since I've been here but Rubylot is getting there and if he can win a Hong Kong Derby, it would be very special.' In contrast to Rubylot's dream barrier, My Wish was perhaps the biggest loser on Thursday when his name was drawn last with only the widest gate available. The pint-sized four-year-old has been a revelation for Newnham with four wins, highlighted by his Classic Mile triumph in January, and a gutsy second in the Classic Cup this season. Newnham will rely on My Wish's ability to overcome wide draws by settling prominently in running for jockey Luke Ferraris. Rubylot mows them down in the Hong Kong Classic Cup at Sha Tin! My Wish is brave in defeat as @brentonavdulla and David Hayes combine for victory... 🏆#4YOSeries | #LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 2, 2025 'We knew which one we were going to get because we were the last out and there was only one left,' Newnham said. 'The horse has shown this season that he's adaptable and he's won from 13 and 14 already this season, so we'll just have to come up with the right tactics to give ourselves the best chance to win. 'Voyage Bubble won from 14, so that's a positive.' Voyage Bubble overcame the same draw courtesy of a stunning ride by Frenchman Alexis Badel to claim an upset win at $46.8 in the Derby two years ago. Tony Cruz will bid for a seventh Derby victory, having won four as a jockey and two as a trainer, when he starts Californiatotality (barrier 11) and Stunning Peach (12). 'My Wish is in 14 and we've got 11 and 12. My Wish has got some speed and my horses will be up in front, too,' Cruz said. 'That will suit them because they're one-actioned horses. I like the Derby and you always want to win it. May the best man win.' Classic Cup third placegetter Johannes Brahms and brilliant last-start 1,800m winner, Bundle Award, drew solidly in barrier eight and nine, respectively. Another prominent hope, Francis Lui Kin-wai's Packing Angel, drew well in barrier six. Brazilian star Joao Moreira will ride the gelding, who comes off a last-start fourth in the Classic Cup.
South China Morning Post
10-03-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Talents Ambition heads to Happy Valley in last-ditch bid to clinch Hong Kong Derby berth
Talents Ambition will head to Happy Valley for the first time as trainer Mark Newnham launches a last-ditch effort to ensure his honest galloper a run in next weekend's BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m). Rated 80 after two wins on the dirt from 13 Hong Kong starts, Talents Ambition could miss the Derby field unless he can boost his rating on Wednesday night. Jockey Club officials will confirm the final field at an event at Happy Valley on Friday morning, with the 81-rated Markwin believed to be set to make the field after receiving a five-point hit for running second from outside the handicap at Sha Tin on Sunday. With that in mind, a couple of points for placing in Wednesday night's Class Three Ap Lei Chau Handicap (1,800m) could see Talents Ambition sneak into the city's most prestigious race, while a win should ensure he does. 'He does need some more points to get into the Derby – they're telling me 80 might not be good enough to get him into the Derby,' said Newnham. 'He was beaten less than three lengths in the Classic Mile, he didn't get a start in the Classic Cup and he was in the wrong position – ridden too close – [when seventh in a Class Three 2,000m race last start], so this is our last chance to improve his rating,' he added of his four-year-old, who will jump from barrier 10 at the midweek meeting – his sixth double-figure draw of the season. 'He seems to draw those regularly but he's a backmarker. There doesn't look to be a lot of pace in that race on first look but he'll go back anyway because that's how he's got to be ridden. 'I think he's easily capable on the turf and he deserves his chance to give himself the opportunity to run in the Derby.' Classy as! 👏 My Wish staves off challengers to capture the first #4YOSeries leg - the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile - with @LukeFerraris for Mark Newnham... #LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) January 31, 2025 Andrea Atzeni will be tasked with negotiating barrier 10 aboard Talents Ambition in race featuring the likes of Romantic Laos, Hameron, Star Mac and Fallon. One galloper who has a rating plenty high enough to make the Derby is Newnham's My Wish, who sits on a mark of 97 after his Classic Mile win and Classic Cup second. 'My Wish has come through the race really well and he'll probably have a gallop on Saturday morning on the course as his major piece of work going into the race,' said Newnham, who also saddles up Exceed The Wish, Tactical Command and Youthful Spirits at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. Two Classic Cup runners who won't push onto the Derby are Packing Hermod and Divano. Meanwhile, jockey James Orman has had his short-term Hong Kong contract extended until the end of the season, while Hugh Bowman will head to Australia to ride Celestial Legend in the Group One George Ryder Stakes (1,500m) and Rivellino in the Group One Golden Slipper (1,200m) at Rosehill Gardens in Sydney on March 22.
