Mark Newnham celebrated a career-best five wins at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, while Andrea Atzeni continued her fine form with her second quadruple in as many weeks.
Newnham jumped to second in the trainers’ championship with 40 wins after falling just one win short of current title leader Caspar Fownes’ record of six wins at the Hong Kong meeting, which he achieved at Valley in 2010.
While Newnham trained four winners on the day in Australia at different tracks, it was the first time he had a five-time winner.
“I’ve never done it anywhere, so five winners on one card is special,” Newnham said.
“It’s been a night, that’s for sure. It’s good to reward all our owners and staff who have done a great job throughout the season. We’ve had a bit of a lull in the last month, but we’ve been sticking to the process and preparing the horses well and everything is fine tonight.”
Atzeni joined the jockeys’ championship, runner-up Hugh Bowman on 40 winners for the season by bringing the four-time winner with two Newnham winners – Crimson Flash and Armor Golden Eagle – as well as Sky Cap and Win Beauty Viva.
Newnham’s night was highlighted by a superb comeback by Crimson Flash in the Grade Two Daisy Handicap (1,200m). Showtime returned to its best quality during the return flight with Atzeni on board.
“We tried him in the Common Goal, it was clear he couldn’t stay pretty and come back to his favorite track and distance – and he deserved a Class Two bonus. So, it’s been a really good result for the owners,” Newnham said after Crimson Flash comfortably tallied Star Star by a length.
Front-runner performance saw Armor Golden Eagle strike for the first time in Hong Kong in the Grade Four Azalea Handicap (1,650m). The son of Ace High was successful on his first run in the city circuit and was helped by a well rated ride from Atzeni.
“It wasn’t the idea to lead with him, but Andrea got the pace and that helped. We wanted to be closer in the run, but when the top weight didn’t go on and lead, Andrea took it and rated him well. The horse responded well too. It’s been a little frustrating with him, but the change of venue and more luck in the draw said it helped,” Newnham said.
Atzeni was the beneficiary of a ride to take on Sky Cap for Caspar Fownes in the Irish Grade Four Championship (1,200m) after Dylan Browne McMonagle lost following a fall from Sterling Wongchoy in the opening race. The Irish jockey was stopped from riding after the second race due to shoulder pain after riding The Lion King to third place.
“It’s never fun riding when another jockey is injured, and hopefully Dylan isn’t too bad,” Atzeni said.
Ace War scored a series win for Newnham and jockey Zac Purton took out the Grade Four Dahlia Handicap (1,800m) with a blistering mid-track burst.
“He backed up his win from two weeks ago with another impressive display. He’s certainly not the easiest horse to ride and he’s not the easiest horse to watch running. He settled well through today’s race but just needed a clear field from the five furlong and his late turn of foot was very good,” Newnham said.
Purton finished the night with a double courtesy of Aurio in the Class Three Hydrangea Handicap (1,200m), who broke the class record with a time of 1:08.49.
The mounted Bronco scored his first goal at Newnham after his transfer improved after a fast finish in the Grade Five Aster Handicap (1,650m) saw him win in a heat with Glorious Ryder.
“I think the change of scenery may have only helped. I probably got him in good form, as he was under 32. In his previous form he had something to offer and he had tried well, so I came here confident that he would run well but when a horse has the recent form he has, it is difficult to be sure that they will win,” Newnham said.
Another Newnham winner was Notthesillyone, who hailed at $26 handicap in the Grade Four Bellflower Handicap (1,000m). Although breaking the 12th barrier was a tough task, the previous track and distance winner benefited from a good ride by Richard Kingscote.
“Luke (Ferraris) usually rides but he was engaged before. Richard only had a few riders – but he has ridden them all well – so we chose to go with him and he pulled off a good ride from gate twelve. Once he settled outside the leader he was going to run well,” Newnham said.
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