Mark Newnham has assembled a strong squad for Wednesday’s all-weather meeting at Sha Tin, where the consistent Cloud Nine will have his first assignment on the surface in the third section of the Class Four Carnation Handicap (1,200m).

The leader of the trainers’ championship sits on 51 wins for the term, followed by Caspar Fownes on 50, and is currently the second most successful trainer on the all-weather surface this season with eight wins – one behind Danny Shum Chap-shing.

Newnham and jockey Luke Ferraris will combine with three runners on Wednesday night including Cloud Nine, who Ferraris has ridden at each of his four career starts.

After drawing wide on three occasions, Wednesday night will be no different when they jump from barrier 12, however Newnham believes the track will suit the Brazilian-bred son of Tiger Heart.

“I’ve always thought it would be suitable for him. He’s got a South American pedigree, which generally produces good results on the dirt. He’s only had one trial on there and he trialled well. He is always worked well on there, so he’s given me the impression that it’d be suitable for him,” Newnham said.

Newnham will also apply blinkers to the three-year-old for the first time, following the recommendation from Ferraris after his last-start second at Happy Valley.

“Luke thought he just lost a bit of focus last start when he turned home at Happy Valley. He’s worked well in them and I think it was the right time to put them on,” Newnham said.

Talents Ambition has been putting in solid performances for Newnham, becoming a victim of his own consistency and now having to shoulder 135lb in the Class Three Camellia Handicap (1,650m).

He again races at his favourite track and trip on Wednesday night and maintains the services of Zac Purton.

“He just needs things to unfold well for him. He only just missed the other day. He’s a horse that gets back, so he requires a bit of luck in running. But if we get a genuine pace, he should put himself in the finish,” Newnham said.

“He’s a good dirt horse. There’s not a lot of options for him at his rating, so top weight in the extended rating band in Class Three is suitable. He’s going to need a genuine pace and a good ride from Zac.”

Lyle Hewitson will partner Bull Attitude for the fourth consecutive time when they jump from barrier three in the Class Four Chamomile Handicap (1,650m). The Autumn Sun galloper has adapted well to the all-weather surface and has continued to improve at each of his previous four starts, which have all been over the same course and distance.

“He’s been really consistent, he’s drawn a good gate, he should get a good run. He’s held his form well on the all-weather, so I’d expect another good run from him – hopefully a win,” Newnham said.

Notthesillyone has had a super season for Newnham with three wins, including two under Ferraris who will be back on board in the second section of the Class Four Carnation Handicap (1,200m), however the Super One gelding has been lumped with the top weight of 135lb.

“I didn’t think he’d reach this sort of rating, so he’s overachieved. But it is difficult for him to carry top weight now in Class Four,” Newnham said.

“I probably would have preferred to claim but Nichola Yuen [Hang-yu] was required for Ricky Yiu [Poon-fai]’s horse, so we’ve got to carry the full weight. But he gets out quickly and makes his own luck – it’s just a matter of whether the weight brings him back to the field.”

Ferraris will also be legged aboard Diamond Sparkle in the first section of the Class Four Carnation Handicap (1,200m), which will be the three-year-old’s first run for just under seven weeks since his debut.

“He’ll have a fairly quiet season. He was a reserve one day, so it’s taken a while to get him back to the races, but he’s quite an immature horse so he won’t do too much racing this season. He’s always trialled quite well on the surface, so it’s a good opportunity to get another race into him,” Newnham said.

While the So You Think gelding received a heavy bump at his first start when running at Happy Valley, where he finished eighth, Newnham believes the experience was character building for him.

“It probably just put him off balance for a bit but that’s what they’ve got to get used to in racing. They’ve got to toughen up a bit and if they get knocked around, they’ve got to be able to push back,” Newnham said.

Diamond Sparkle has shown plenty of promise since with a trial at Sha Tin where he ran second to Blazing Wukong and was followed in by Another Zonda who ran third – both of whom have gone on to win.

“I think he’s got enough talent. I’m just not sure he’s experienced enough yet,” Newnham said.

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