Mark Newnham has assembled a strong line-up for Wednesday’s all-weather meeting at Sha Tin, where the stable Cloud Nine will have his first assignment on the surface in the third section of the Grade Four Carnation Handicap (1,200m).
The trainers’ championship leader has won 51 times this term, followed by Caspar Fownes on 50, and is currently the second most successful trainer in all weathers this season with eight wins – one behind Danny Shum Chap-shing.
Newnham and jockey Luke Ferraris will be joined by three runners on Wednesday night including Cloud Nine, whom Ferraris has ridden in each of his four career starts.
After three draws, Wednesday night will be no different when they jump from barrier 12, however Newnham believes the track will suit the Brazilian-born son of Tiger Heart.
“I always thought it would suit him. He’s from South America, which generally gives good results on dirt. He’s only had one test there and he tried well. He’s worked well there, so he gave me a feeling it would suit him,” Newnham said.
Newnham will also use the three-year-old’s blinker for the first time, following a bid from Ferraris after his last second at Happy Valley.
“Luke thought he’d lost a little bit of direction at first when he turned home at Happy Valley. He’s done a good job on them and I think it was the right time to put them on,” Newnham said.
Talents Ambition has been putting in strong performances at Newnham, falling victim to his consistency and now having to carry 135lbs in the Grade Three Camellia Handicap (1,650m).
He runs again on his favorite track and ride on Wednesday night and retains the services of Zac Purton.
“He just needs things to go right for him. He just missed the other day. He’s a horse that’s coming back, so he needs a bit of luck in the race. But if we’re going to get real speed, he should keep himself at the end,” Newnham said.
“He’s a good dirt horse. There’s not much choice for him in his rating, so a higher weight in the extended rating band in Class Three is appropriate. He’ll need real speed and a good ride from Zac.”
Lyle Hewitson will partner Bull Attitude for the fourth time in a row when they jump from barrier three in the Grade Four Chamomile Handicap (1,650m). The Autumn Sun galloper has adapted well to all weather conditions and has continued to improve in each of his previous four starts, all of which have been over the same pace and distance.
“He’s been consistent, he’s got a good gate, he should run well. He’s held up well in the weather, so I’d expect a run from him – hopefully a win,” Newnham said.
Nothesillyone has had an excellent season at Newnham with three wins, including two under Ferraris who will return in the second leg of the Grade Four Carnation Handicap (1,200m), however the Super One gelding is limited by a top weight of 135lb.
“I didn’t think he would reach this level, so he’s overachieved. But it’s hard for him to carry a lot of weight now in Grade Four,” Newnham said.
“I’d probably prefer to claim but Nichola Yuen (Hang-yu) was needed on Ricky Yiu’s (Poon-fai) horse, so we have to take the full weight. But he’s coming out quickly and making his own luck – it’s a matter of whether the weight will get him back in the field.”
Ferraris will also have a leg up on Diamond Sparkle in the first leg of the Grade Four Carnation Handicap (1,200m), which will be the three-year-old’s first run less than seven weeks since debuting.
“He’s going to have a bit of a quiet season. He was in reserve one day, so it’s taken a while to get him back into the race, but he’s an immature horse so he won’t be racing too many races this season. He’s always tested well on the surface, so it’s a good opportunity to get another run in him,” Newnham said.
While the So You Think group suffered a major blow in his debut run at Happy Valley, where he finished eighth, Newnham believes the experience built his character.
“It probably put him off balance for a little bit but that’s what I’ve got used to in the race. I’ve got to toughen up a bit and if they get knocked around, I’ve got to be able to push back,” Newnham said.
Diamond Sparkle has shown plenty of promise since his trial at Sha Tin where he ran second to Blazing Wukong and was followed by third-placed Zonda Mwginine – both of whom have won.
“I think he has enough talent. I’m not sure he has enough experience yet,” Newnham said.
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