Mark Newnham is adopting a cautious approach with Full Credit as the gelding resumes following throat surgery in March.
To be ridden by in-form Matthew Chadwick from barrier four, Full Credit this season has posted one win and six minor placings from 10 starts and won a 1200m trial on Sha Tin’s dirt track on 20 June.
“He’s had a good season unfortunately interrupted by a wind operation, so he’s got to come back to form after that. His last trial was good, but not against the same sort of opposition he’ll face on Saturday,” Newnham said.
“He’s a versatile horse who’s gone on all types of surfaces at each track and his last run down the straight was very good in good grade, so it will be interesting if he can recapture his right form.”
With 42 wins for the season, Newnham has easily surpassed the 31 victories his stable posted last campaign and he is excited by the potential of rising star My Wish, winner of the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) and runner-up in the HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m).
“I’ve been happy with the way things have gone, it’s improvement on last season and we look like we’ve got another good group of horses to go into next season,” he said. “I think My Wish has still got good improvement to come. He’s been immature mentally and physically, so I still think his best is ahead of him.”
Matthew Poon takes the ride on Pierre Ng-trained Aurora Lady as he attempts to stave off Chadwick in the battle for the Tony Cruz Award as Hong Kong’s leading homegrown jockey. With 36 wins, Poon leads Chadwick by two.
Ng hopes Aurora Lady’s light weight will allow the gelding to press for a fifth win of the season.
“There’s not too much pressure on him. He’s placed over 1000m at Sha Tin before so hopefully he can finish off better under the light weight,” Ng said.
Sha Tin’s 11-race card on Saturday (28 June) starts with the Class 5 Kam Tin River Handicap (1400m) at 4pm.