Mark Newnham will have two solid chances stepping out on a seven-day backup at Happy Valley on Wednesday night in the form of Armor Golden Eagle and Loving Vibes.

The Australian handler will be looking to chase down the lead in the trainers’ championship where he currently sits third on the table with 55 wins, just three behind leader Caspar Fownes.

Armor Golden Eagle will look to extend his record of three wins from four starts at the track when stepping up in distance and moving to Class Two level in the Tai Tam Gap Handicap (1,800m).

The four-year-old put in an impressive performance last Wednesday when overhauling Highland Rahy to win going away by a length and a quarter.

“He had to win to get into Class Two – he won and he won well, and pulled up well. So it’s a good opportunity for him – especially to test him at that level and up to 1,800m,” Newnham said.

“So far this season my horses stepping into Class Two with light weights have done well. He’s in good form since switching to Happy Valley, he’s three wins and a third from his four starts, so he’s good around Happy Valley. He might be catching some horses at the end of a busy season while he’s still on the up.”

The son of Ace High will have the services of Karis Teetan, with his most recent jockey Zac Purton already committed to Silvery Breeze.

“Zac was already booked and we’ve got a nice lightweight, so Karis is in good form and hopefully it’s a good combination,” Newnham said.

Loving Vibes is also on the seven-day backup in the first section of the Class Four Cricket Club Valley Stakes (1,200m). The Zoustar galloper put in a huge effort last start to overcome barrier 12 when running second to Bright Day.

The five-year-old has drawn much more favourably in barrier one this week, and will once again have Andrea Atzeni in the saddle.

“He did a really good job last week from barrier 12. His barriers lately at Happy Valley have been 12, 11 and 12, so nice to get him into an inside gate,” Newnham said.

“He ran very well last week and pulled up well. It’s a good opportunity for him to get another win off a nice low rating now.”

Casa Rochester put in a solid performance last start when returning from an enforced break following a left stifle injury, and contests the Class Three Violet Hill Handicap (1,650m) with Angus Chung Yik-lai taking the reins for the first time from barrier 10.

“He was back after a little injury, but he’s made a good recovery from that. He’s drawn out wide again, which means he’ll get back, but he’s got a nice light weight. He probably needs a genuine speed in the race, but I was pleased with the way he finished off. He goes in there with a chance,” Newnham said.

While the son of Redwood is only compact, weighing in at less than 1,000lb, his ability certainly makes up for his size.

“He’s tiny but I think down in the weights in Class Three he’s capable, especially with only 116lb to carry. It’ll probably be determined by the speed of the race how well he runs,” Newnham said.

Same To You is back to a winning rating of 42 and will carry 117lb from barrier five with Atzeni aboard in the second section of the Class Four Wong Nai Chung Gap Handicap (1,200m).

“He ran well the other day. He’s got form at both tracks, he’s drawn a nice gate, he’s looking for another win this season and he’s at about the right rating. He’s been pretty consistent when he’s drawn bad gates, but he’s been good when he’s drawn inside,” Newnham said.

Setanta will have gone 707 days without a win when he takes on the Class Five Mount Butler Handicap (1,650m) with Luke Ferraris on board, but has appreciated the recent drop to Class Five company and was strong to the line last start when running second to Podium by a short head.

“He went well the other day. He needs circumstances to go well for him because he gets back. That was his first run at 1,650m in Class Five at Happy Valley and he was only narrowly beaten. He’s getting old, but he’s probably still got a win in him in this class, hopefully it’s Wednesday,” Nenwham.

Power Koepp and Exceed The Wish round out Newnham’s hand at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.

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