Mark Newnham is sailing through the 2025/26 Hong Kong racing season with flying colours and the Australian trainer, who has 12 wins in October, takes a five-strong team to Thursday night’s (30 October) eight-race all-dirt programme at Sha Tin. 

Leading the trainers’ championship with 18 wins – four clear of nearest rival Caspar Fownes (14) – Newnham heads into Thursday’s fixture aiming to extend his streak to 13 consecutive race meetings with at least a winner.

Newnham, who has celebrated breakthrough victories in the HK$4.2 million G3 Celebration Cup Handicap (1400m) and HK$5.35 million G2 Sha Tin Trophy Handicap (1600m) this season with My Wish, is represented by Mojave Desert (130lb) and New Forest (118lb) in Thursday’s Class 3 Pyramid Hill Handicap (1650m, dirt).

“He’s (Mojave Desert) at his best when he gets covered away and he only really has to sprint about 300 metres,” Newnham said. “He tends to get back anyway, but from the wide draw (11), he’ll just need the right pace and the right horses to drag him forward. His chance to win will be in the last 100.”

Andrea Atzeni rides Mojave Desert, a winner two starts ago, while New Forest, a one-time victor, has gate 13 to overcome under Lyle Hewitson.

Newnham said: “New Forest is the opposite because he’ll be on pace. We have a chance in both areas, we’ll have one on the pace and one back, and probably the pace of the race will determine the outcome.”

Rising star My Wish will trial again before tackling the HK$5.35 million G2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (1600m) on 23 November.

“His recovery is much better this season as he’s matured. He’s getting through each race in better condition. He’ll trial on the 14th (of November),” Newnham said.

“He’ll get five pounds from Group 1 winners, depending on who lines up. He’s showing that he’s going to be good enough, but he needs to keep taking those steps and then come December he has to take another step again because it’s all level weights.”

Newnham also saddles Notthesillyone, Impending Legacy and Fatal Blow on Thursday.

Following her first Class 2 win in Sunday’s (26 October) HK$3.12 million Panasonic Cup Handicap (1600m), apprentice Britney Wong is aiming to kick on as she prepares to debut at Happy Valley this weekend (Sunday, 2 November).

Wong reunites with Manfred Man’s Jolly Companion, who shoulders 115lb with her claim, in the first section of the Class 4 Shek Uk Shan Handicap (1200m, dirt).

“He gets back to his favourite track on the dirt, but recently I would say, he’s not in his best form,” Wong said. “We’ll try to be confident out there, have faith in ourselves and try our best.”

Wong rides Precision Goal (110lb) for trainer David Hayes in the Pyramid Hill Handicap. Hayes said: “We’ve drawn a bad barrier (14). He goes forward, but it’ll be difficult from the gate.”

Hayes saddles Ariel in the same race paired with apprentice Ellis Wong, who takes five pounds off the 71-rater’s assigned 123lb.

Hayes said: “Ariel is good on the dirt and there’s nice speed in the race. He’ll find the box seat probably on his preferred surface. He’s shown he’s in form in that class, so he should run well.”

Thursday’s (30 October) eight-race fixture at Sha Tin kicks off at 7.15pm with the Class 5 Wa Mei Shan Handicap (1650m, dirt).