Mark Newnham continued his march to the trainers’ championship when Notthesillyone scored his fourth win of the season in the second leg of the Grade Four Carnation Handicap (1,200m) at Sha Tin on Wednesday night.
The Australian trainer has now won 52 matches for the term, one ahead of Caspar Fownes who also won on the night with Sky Vino.
Nothesillyone was sent out as the $14.1 chance with Luke Ferraris and successfully tackled the top weight of 135lbs to beat Happy Shooter by three quarters of a length.
“He’s been a big contributor to the coaches’ championship, I’ll tell you,” Newnham said.
“There is a big group to chase so every win is important and very important at the end of the season.”
Newnham further demonstrated his excellent training qualities by taking Notthesillyone from Fifth Form to Third Form level. He was surprised and delighted by the five-year-old, who he admitted to looking down on throughout his playing career.
“Given last year he was a Grade Five winner from the first gate, I didn’t consider him winning four races this time but he continues to improve. Luke is going well with him – he settled him down today and the horse did the rest,” Newnham said.
“I underestimated him before, so I’m not saying he can’t (win Class Three) but I didn’t think he could carry 135 today. He’s run beyond my expectations, so at lightweight in Class Three, who knows?”
Ferraris has been in for three of the four races this season and gave the Super One son a good run from barrier six when he followed the pace, before taking him into the lead in the straight and holding off a late challenge from Happy Shooter.
“He’s a little late out of the gate, which he can do but credit to Mark and his team because when this horse first arrived, he didn’t have a big head on him and he would just bolt and you were just a passenger,” Ferraris said.
“Today, he showed he’s settled and from where he started and went down to the bottom of Class Three and now he’s at the bottom of Class Three, it’s been a great effort from Mark and his team. And full credit to the owner, he’s been patient because the horse took time to get used to, but it’s rewarded him tenfold.”
Karis Teetan was in stellar form at the all-weather meet, scoring a two-run home run courtesy of Night Purosangue and California Bay.
Night Purosangue won the Grade Four Chamomile Handicap (1,650m) for Me Tsui Yu-sak, and was never in danger of losing as he defied the 10th draw.
With the first two furlongs run well within normal time, Teetan was able to ease Thunder Night into one of the rails and cruise away as the winner from as far away as the home turn, edging out leader Chill Kaka by an impressive two lengths.
A drop in travel and a face switch saw California Bay’s success in his 17th Hong Kong start in the first leg of the Grade Four Carnation Handicap.
The Tony Cruz-trained jockey was given a superb ride by Teetan which saw him win with a last-minute burst to the inside to run down One Man Show by a neck.
“It was a good win, finally,” Teetan said.
“The horse was in good form today and had a good trip from a good draw (in the second barrier) and it was his first time from a bit, because he has been doing too much in the race.
Cruz was full of praise for Teetan and also acknowledged the benefits of indoor containment.
“It was a good race,” Cruz said.
“I think the barrier draw was a big help, and also Karis brought a perfect race because when they went into the straight it was a bit tight and he made a splash on the inside. So, very rarely do horses make the inside run and get up and win. But kudos to Karis Teetan.”
Manfred Man Ka-leung also scored a double with Juicy Dragon and Robot Knight.
Juicy Dragon improved his all-weather credentials with a strong victory in the third leg of the Grade Four Carnation Handicap under regular rider Andrea Atzeni.
He joined in at speed, reminiscent of his previous victory in the previous three climates, and burned and hit easily by two and three quarters of a length over Mega Captain.
Robot Knight added his only Hong Kong victory when he returned to the field to win the Grade Five Magnolia Handicap (1,200m), this time with Britney Wong Po-ni in the saddle.
Holding the front position on the rail, Wong made the Spicy Spangle work and then got plenty on the straight with a neck tie from Viva Chaleur.
“He bled before and the bled can be hard to believe. This time, his form has been good and the draw and the 7lb allowance helped a lot. (Wong) is riding very smart,” Man said.
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