Newnham to close gap on rivals at Happy Valley
Only three wins separate the leading trio in the 2025/26 trainers’ championship, and Mark Newnham is hoping to make further ground when he saddles a team of seven at Happy Valley on Wednesday as Armor Golden Eagle returns on the one-week back-up.
Caspar Fownes tops the table with 58 wins, while Newnham holds third on 55 following his weekend double, with Danny Shum middling the pair on 56. Francis Lui trails on 50, David Hayes has 49 and John Size rounds out the top six with 46 wins.
Armor Golden Eagle rises in grade for the Class 2 Tai Tam Gap Handicap over 1800m following consecutive wins in Class 3 at the city circuit – the most recent over 1650m on 27 May. The four-year-old bay has won three of his past four starts at Happy Valley.
“He’s in really good form since we switched him to Happy Valley. He’s up to Class 2 but down in weight (from carrying 59kg to 54kg),” Newnham said. “He’s been aided by two really good rides from Zac (Purton) from good barriers (Nos 3 and 4) his last two starts.
“He’s a horse in form and, even though he’s going up in grade, I’d expect he’d run well.”
Karis Teetan is booked to ride the 82-rated gelding from stall No 6 against Helene Feeling, Soleil Fighter, Packing Angel, Californiatotality, Awesome Fluke, Silvery Breeze, Beauty Alliance, Pocketing, Joy Of Spring and Liveandletlive.
Newnham also fields Setanta, Exceed The Wish, Same To You, Loving Vibes, Casa Rochester and Power Koepp, who runs in the Class 3 Shouson Hill Handicap over 1200m, assigned 54.5kg as the 63-rated six-time winner seeks his first victory in over a year.
“He’s (Power Koepp) getting down to a rating where he can be competitive,” Newnham said.
Loving Vibes takes aim at the Class 4 Cricket Club Valley Stakes Handicap over 1200m after placing second on 27 May, while Exceed The Wish returns in the Class 5 Mount Nicholson Handicap over 1200m after finishing third, also seven days ago.
Soleil Fighter has Hugh Bowman and barrier three on his side in the Tai Tam Gap Handicap for Hayes, who said: “He’s won one race this season, but he’s been second and third many times. The 1800m is his maximum trip, but he will run very well.”
Hayes has Pocketing in the race and is hopeful of an improved effort by the Group 2-winning import from Australia.
“His trial was better. The tactics we adopted last run really didn’t suit him and he ran a poor race, but his trial and trackwork since then has been very good,” Hayes said.
Fownes is on track to set a new record for the most wins in a single season at Happy Valley, requiring one to match the 40 he trained in 2009/10. The ‘King of the Valley’ saddles Family Fortune, Captain Link, The Heir, Dancing Classics and Joy Of Spring.
Frankie Lor is eyeing an improved effort from one-time winner Symbol Of Strength (61kg) in the Shouson Hill Handicap after the gelding misfired last start.
“We tried him on the dirt last start, but he wasn’t very good. He’s much better at Happy Valley, so I’ve brought him back here,” Lor said. – Hong Kong Jockey Club
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Wah May Wai Wai charged home strongly to finish third from a wide draw last start, and with a low gate, he looks poised to make amends given his versatile racing style. Family Fortune boasts strong recent form and can make his presence felt again under the right race shape. Setanta was narrowly denied last start and appears to be on a winnable mark. Prince Alex has dropped in the ratings and could cause an upset if things go his way. Telecom Power looks capable of bouncing back at any time in this grade, but will need some luck from a wide draw.
Race 2: Call To Command has shown improvement since dropping to Class 5 and must be considered a strong contender in this open contest. Always My Folks comes off a strong on-pace win and a double looks within reach with Purton retaining the ride. Autumn Vibes encountered traffic early last start and could make amends with better luck in running. Lakeshore Hero both the drop in class and distance are positives, and he looks one to watch despite the wide draw. Majestic Delight has not been beaten far in recent starts and could sneak into the placings.
Race 3: Beauty Glory trapped wide but still finished a creditable fifth last start, and from a low draw, he should map well and be highly competitive. Young Arrow has been knocking on the door since returning to Class 4 and should play a key role. Forerunner beaten by a smart type last start and looks capable of going one better against more manageable opposition. Same To You finished a solid third at Sha Tin last start and remains well weighted to make an impact. Free Pony not the easiest to catch, but is worth a look if overlooked in the betting.
Race 4: Savvy Warrior stuck on well for fourth in a fast-run race last start, and from a favourable draw, he could finally break through. Dashing Maurison has shown significant improvement and shapes as a leading contender. Run Run Timing the inside draw suits his positive racing style and the booking of Purton adds further appeal. Star Mac will relish the rise in distance and can make a strong late surge if they go too hard in front. Can’t Go Wong narrowly missed last start and should get every chance to make it right from a good draw this time.
Race 5: Georgian Sigma has shown ability and looks overdue for a maiden win following successive placings. Brownneedsfurther stormed home for second last start, though aided by a fast tempo, and looks one to follow with Purton aboard. Loving Vibes on a seven-day turnaround off a solid second, he has drawn well to go one better. Star Figure has mixed form but could surprise at odds against weaker opposition on his return to Happy Valley. Danica’s Choice showed improvement in a recent trial and will give them something to catch with Britney Wong’s 7lb claim.
Race 6: Nebraskan has made all in emphatic fashion in his last two starts and looks poised to secure a hat-trick from a good draw. Meowth hindered by a wide draw last start and, from a better gate, should be right in the mix given his strong Class 4 record. The Heir comes off an easy win in this class and looks primed to go back-to-back with Moreira staying aboard, especially from a low draw. Vigor Eye possesses tactical speed but looks more of a place chance in this field. Bright Day returned to the winner’s list last start and remains a strong chance despite the weight rise.
Race 7: Power Koepp rates highly on collateral form, appears well weighted to run a big race, and could prove a value pick. Amazing Kid had genuine excuses last start, when racing wide, and could finish in the money with a smoother trip from a better draw. Happy Index possesses good early speed and could be hard to run down if allowed to dictate from a wide draw. Symbol Of Strength better than his last run suggests, and the switch back to turf looks a positive. Ace Champion from pole position, he should map closer to the speed, and a Top 3 finish wouldn’t surprise.
Race 8: Silvery Breeze caught the eye flashing home late last start and, with Purton aboard, shapes as a strong contender. Beauty Alliance an in-form frontrunner, he looks poised to deliver a strong performance from an inside draw. Armor Golden Eagle has won his last two starts impressively in Class 3, and looks well weighted to extend his strong form, despite stepping up to Class 2. Soleil Fighter finished second last start after making the running, and looks one to keep safe. Packing Angel comes off a strong win in this class but the weight rise and wide draw pose a challenge.
Race 9: Smart Avenue defeated a quality field at Sha Tin last start and looks poised to secure back-to-back wins with Purton aboard, despite carrying top weight. Fivefortwo went close last start and must be included among the better chances. Mister Dapper has good early speed and may sneak into the placings under the right race shape. Without Compare his recent runs have been encouraging but the wide draw remains a concern. All Round Winner underperformed last start but deserves another chance given his solid previous form.