The trainers’ championship battle intensifies at Sha Tin on Saturday (14 February), where leader Mark Newnham seeks to maintain his advantage as the leading rivals for the handlers’ crown close in at the top.

Newnham has celebrated winners at the past two Sha Tin meetings, but just four wins separate a quartet of leading trainers currently, and Newnham’s lead over David Hayes has been reduced to just one win (35-34) after a stellar opening to 2026 for last season’s championship runner-up.

Hayes leads Newnham 12-9 in wins since the turn of the year, and takes seven runners to Saturday’s 10-race fixture. Newnham will be represented by six runners of his own, but one of his best chances for another visit to the Winner’s Arch is in-form HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) hopeful Lucky Sam Gor.

While the opening leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series, the Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) might have come just too soon for the New Zealand import, his impressive win in a Class 3 1600m contest on the undercard that day underlined his growing BMW Hong Kong Derby credentials.

Now at a mark of 76, having added a remarkable 31 rating points since the start of this season, a good showing in Saturday’s Class 3 (Restricted) TVB Miss Hong Kong Pageant Handicap (1600m) for Lucky Sam Gor (133lb) ought to put him in contention for a spot in the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) on 1 March.

“He’s been in very good form,” said Newnham of his charge, who has won four times in seven starts. “He’s just shown the benefit of a bit of maturity. Last time gave him a good start from a wide gate, and he finished the race off really strongly.

“He started this season probably a mark well below his true ability. He just started to show in his races at the end of last season what he’s shown us in his work prior to that, but just needed a bit of time. His rating will catch up sooner or later.”

The son of Press Statement steps from barrier three on Saturday in a race limited to four-year-olds that features no fewer than 10 rivals with BMW Hong Kong Derby nominations.

Jerry Chau, who has ridden Lucky Sam Gor to three of his victories this term, including that last-start win, is on assignment in Saudi Arabia riding Manfred Man’s Self Improvement in the G2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint (1200m, dirt) on Saturday. James Orman will take over aboard Lucky Sam Gor.

“I just thought with Jerry away, James Orman’s a good option,” Newnham added. “He rides on a nice long rein, gets his horses to relax, and that’s the key to those horses that have a good turn of foot, is getting them to conserve energy.”

Elsewhere on the card, Jamie Richards is excited to unveil a talented prospect on Saturday in Red Sea. Raced by Cambridge Stud principal Brendan Jon Lindsay, the son of Pierata begins his Hong Kong career on the back of some eye-catching barrier trials.

Richards has secured the services of champion jockey Zac Purton for Red Sea (131lb) in his debut run, the Class 3 TVB Yan Chai Charity Show Handicap (1200m).

“He’s coming along well,” said Richards of the New Zealand-bred sprinter. “Unfortunately, he hasn’t drawn very well (gate 11). But he’s got natural pace, and he’s got Zac on, so he’ll probably try and sneak forward a bit from out there.

“He hasn’t raced for a long time, and I just wonder whether he might need a run or two to get him back to peak fitness. But he’s a nice horse. He’s got a good way of going, and we’re looking forward to getting him started,” Richards added.

Saturday’s (14 February) 10-race TVB Raceday fixture at Sha Tin starts at 12.45pm with the Class 4 TVB Lok Sin Tong Charity Corner Handicap (1200m).