Two hotly contested Class 2 races headline Sunday’s (26 January) 11-race fixture at Sha Tin, the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games Hong Kong, China Team Celebration Raceday, where trainer Mark Newnham is optimistic up-and-comer Full Credit (127lb) can rebound in the HK$2.84 million Para Equestrian 1200m Handicap.
The 88-rating speedster had Wunderbar and James Tak hot on his heels last start, contributing to his overhauling as he attempted to make all, finishing a brave sixth, while Wunderbar and James Tak also faded to fifth and ninth, respectively, on 5 January at Sha Tin.
Wary of another fierce charge early in this weekend’s race, Newnham hopes the four-time winning four-year-old can be adaptable when he faces eight rivals: Son Pak Fu (132lb), Superb Capitalist (131lb), Gorgeous Win (129lb), Harmony N Blessed (128lb), Bundle Of Charm (125lb), Baby Crystal (124lb), Wonder Kit (121lb) and Gummy Gummy (120lb).
“The tempo was too strong with Wunderbar and James Tak. You could see that they were doing too much. I was happy with his run though, he’s shown that he doesn’t have to lead and in his two efforts on the dirt he has sat in behind and finished off strongly,” Newnham said.
“He’s only a lightly raced horse and he had a couple of trials in Sydney (in Australia). He was pretty green when he got here and he’s continued to improve, so there’s no reason he won’t (improve more).”
Lyle Hewitson has built a strong relationship with Full Credit by steering him to all four wins at Sha Tin over 1200m. The South African rides again this weekend.