Newnham sets his sights on big spring targets

Multi-venue trainer Mark Newnham plans to have some of Sydney’s richest spring targets covered in the spring.

The Randwick and Warwick Farm-based trainer looks set to end the 2019/20 season firmly entrenched in the top 10 Sydney trainers, currently fourth in the premiership behind powerhouse operations of Chris Waller and James Cummings and the Warwick Farm-based Bjorn Baker.

Recently Newnham welcomed home his dual Group 1 winner Shadow Hero after a failed stint in Hong Kong, and after just 24 hours in the stables the horse was sent back to the paddock.

“He came back a fortnight ago but after a day in the stable I decided to turn him out for a spell,” Newnham said.

“I sent him to Queensland to get some sunshine on his back for a month and then he can do the last couple of weeks sitting in a paddock and doing some work on the treadmill.”

During his first stint under Newnham’s care, Shadow Hero won the Spring Champion Stakes and Randwick Guineas as a three-year-old and his trainer now has his sights firmly fixed on rich 1600 metre targets late in the spring.

“We’re not going to rush him and if he’s not ready for the spring, we’ll look to races like The Gong and The Villiers,” Newnham said.

“A mile, dry tracks, that should suit him.”

Meanwhile, Newnham plans to use Godolphin’s successful blueprint with his rising four-year-old Harmony Rose for her upcoming spring campaign.

Harmony Rose was two-time Group 1 placed during her three-year-old autumn campaign – third behind Lion’s Roar in the Randwick Guineas before a second placing to Hungry Heart in the Vinery Stud Stakes.

“She’s back into pre-training and she’ll be back in the stable in the next week or two,” Newnham said.

“With her I’m looking at a couple of runs into the Epsom and then maybe a freshen-up into the Golden Eagle, a bit like Colette did last year.

“Her best career run was probably the Randwick Guineas so I’d say we’ll look to keep her around the mile.

“She showed she’s up to the boys in the Randwick Guineas, that form stood up and she should have won the Vinery against the girls so she’s well credentialed for a race like the Golden Eagle.

“It’s hard to ignore a seven-and-a-half million-dollar race (Golden Eagle) when they only get one shot at it.”

TAB.com.au has Harmony Rose listed as a $26 chance for the Golden Eagle in its pre-nominations market where bets are refunded if the horse isn’t nominated.

The Golden Eagle will be run at Rosehill over 1500 metres on October 30.