Newnham has Sha Tin ambitions

Mark Newnham is rolling through his second season in Hong Kong with flying colours and today the trainer saddles five runners at Sha Tin's eight-race all-dirt programme.

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Following a 31-win debut campaign, Newnham has made an immediate impression this term with 11 wins from 59 starters across the initial 13 fixtures of 2024/25 a tally bettered by only David Hayes (14) and Pierre Ng (12), while Caspar Fownes also has 11 wins.

The 56-year-old Newnham collected a double last Sunday at Sha Tin, while his statistics on the dirt in 2023/24 saw him strike at 17% with seven wins from 41 starters.

Steely grey Talents Ambition - much like Newnham - has returned in fine order this campaign and represents the handler in the HK$2.05 million Class 3 Tsim Mei Fung Handicap (1650m), drawn in gate three with jockey Harry Bentley engaged.

"It looks like an ideal race for him. I've been holding him back and waiting for this race. I gave him a trial in between and I gave him a gallop last Sunday - he felt great," Newnham said.