Mark Newnham confident of ending Happy Valley card in style with in-form gallopers

South China Morning Post

05-05-2025

The 57-year-old handler has a pair of horses backing up off last-start victories at the city circuit on Wednesday night
Mark Newnham is hoping to keep the good times rolling with last-start winners Fatal Blow and Casa Rochester at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.
Casa Rochester runs in the Class Three Deauville Handicap (1,650m) off the back of shedding his maiden in very comfortable fashion over course and distance one month ago.
Settled out the back, his rider Hugh Bowman made stealthy progress through the middle of the pack on the final bend and once in the clear, he charged home to get up by a nose.
The winning margin didn't do the victory justice, however, and Newnham is confident his improving galloper can get the job done again with Lyle Hewitson back in the saddle.
TREBLE for @HugeBowman! 🔥
Casa Rochester just salutes for a first Hong Kong win at Happy Valley over Quantum Patch for Mark Newnham...#HappyWednesday | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/d80oM29LUA — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 9, 2025
'It was a cosy win last time in a lower grade but his previous run in Class Three he was competitive,' said Newnham. 'With that in mind, I'm not worried about the rise in class for him.
'He's got a good draw, which is always a big positive at Happy Valley, and he's going to run a big race.'
Newnham's evening could get even better just 35 minutes later when Fatal Blow also bids to back up a course-and-distance win in the card-closing Class Three Parislongchamp Handicap (1,200m).
Fatal Blow has thrived over the Valley 1,200m for Newnham this season, winning on his second start by a short head after showing a really game attitude.
Fatal Blow lands the final stroke! Mark Newnham makes it a Happy Valley double as @LukeFerraris gets a first for the evening... ✌️#HappyWednesday | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/Vga8BeVG3r — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 16, 2025
He disappointed in two subsequent outings, but he was back on track after a three-month break when flashing home to salute in Class Four company and he will be having just his sixth Hong Kong start on Wednesday.
Newnham has paired him with in-form jockey Andrea Atzeni and is hopeful of another big run from his unexposed four-year-old.
'He's a lightly raced and improving horse,' said Newnham. 'He's been pretty solid since he arrived and he was impressive at the Valley last time.
'I think this is a nice race to introduce him to Class Three racing. Whether he takes a race or two to get there in this company, we'll find out, but he's going well.
'He's definitely got more to come after only five starts and he's finished in the money in three of those already.'
Those are not the only big chances on the card for Newnham, with the 57-year-old hoping Setanta can build on a fast-finishing third at the Valley seven days ago in the Class Four Saint-Cloud Handicap (1,650m).
Setanta has been plying his trade in Class Three company this season and left behind a trio of disappointing runs when lashing home off this rating last time.
The drop in grade is an obvious positive to his chances and he could be sneaking in under the radar.
'That was more like it at the Valley last week,' said Newnham. 'The drop to Class Four company will be a big help to him and he has run well when backing up quickly in the past, too.'
Newnham kicked off his tenure in Hong Kong with a 31-winner campaign last season and he has already smashed through that tally this term, heading into the meeting with 37 winners.
His season has been headlined by My Wish, who won the Hong Kong Classic Mile before two agonising defeats in the subsequent legs of the Classic Series.