Mark Newnham is looking forward to stepping Crimson Flash (127lb) up in distance for Sunday’s (25 October) HK$5.35 million G2 Lukfook Jewellery Premier Bowl Handicap (1200m), although the trainer remains wary of rival Raging Blizzard’s (135lb) class edge.

The best-credentialed and highest-rated runner in the contest on 113, Raging Blizzard placed in two Group 1s behind champion Ka Ying Rising last season and was second in this race last year. The John Size trainee finished fourth first-up, slightly ahead of Crimson Flash in the G3 National Day Cup Handicap (1000m) on 1 October at Sha Tin.

“Raging Blizzard has solid Group 1 form. He’s been chasing Ka Ying Rising for a while, so he’s shown that in this class he is well capable,” Newnham said.

“He’s (Crimson Flash) done well since that run, and he galloped nicely on Tuesday (20 October). He’s going in fit and well, and there’s nowhere to hide with a 105 rating.”

Five-year-old Crimson Flash is a six-time winner in Hong Kong, including three wins in Class 2 last season. He finished fifth on resumption behind Colourful King in the National Day Cup.

Newnham said: “He’ll (Crimson Flash) be better suited at 1200 (metres) than he was at 1000 down the straight. He seemed to resent getting tightened up on the outside fence first-up, and he’s a horse who has had a bit more room when he’s won his races.”

Last year’s Premier Bowl winner Tomodachi Kokoroe (122lb) returns alongside Group 3 winners Colourful King (132lb), Copartner Prance (131lb) and Beauty Waves (124lb). Ka Ying Attack (119lb), Aeris Nova (115lb) and Sing Dragon (115lb) round out the nine-runner field as they tackle Group 2 racing for the first time at Sha Tin.

Newnham, who has trained 141 winners in Hong Kong, is pleased with Group 1 star My Wish after the G2 Sha Tin Trophy Handicap (1600m) last Monday (19 October).

“He pulled up really well. It was a good first-up effort (finishing third), and it’s the first time he’s had to run over a mile first-up and give away weight,” Newnham said.

“When he won the race last year, he’d already had a run and carried 115lb. He had all the advantages last year and he didn’t have those this year. Going forward to November, I’d be confident that he’ll run better again and, hopefully, be peaking in December.”

My Wish will next feature in the HK$5.35 million G2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (1600m) on 22 November before the HK$36 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) on 13 December at the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races.

Newnham’s six-strong team on Sunday includes Max Que (126lb) and Infinite Resolve (121lb), who both run in the HK$3.12 million Class 2 Lukfook Joaillerie Handicap (1600m).

Infinite Resolve returns in search of a second win.

Infinite Resolve returns in search of a second win.

Infinite Resolve was a cracking second in the 2026 Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) and has returned in sound order this season, finishing third and fourth, respectively.

“His two runs have had merit. He goes back to 1600 (metres), he has the right weight, and it looks like a nice race for him,” Newnham said.

“He hasn’t had the best of luck in either run, but he’s at the right rating now (84); towards the end of last season his rating got a bit high after running second in the Classic Mile.”

Max Que is a course-and-distance winner in the grade and came within a length of winning first-up over 1400m at Sha Tin. Andrea Atzeni rides Infinite Resolve two races after partnering Crimson Flash, while Alexis Badel links with Max Que.

“Max Que has been really consistent. His only poor run was at Happy Valley second up (when 11th); he may have just backed up too soon (10 days between runs). He trialled quite nicely the other day, and he’s a horse that generally runs to his best,” Newnham said.

Sunday’s (25 October) 11-race fixture at Sha Tin begins at 12.40pm with the Class 4 (Restricted) Lukfook Jewellery Rhapsody On The Luo River Handicap (1200m).

By Declan Schuster