Mark Newnham’s morning began like any other at Sha Tin on Saturday, 20 December, but it ended with two milestones neatly crossed off. A composed win by the progressive Invincible Ibis not only underlined the four-year-old’s Classic credentials, it also carried Newnham to his 100th training success in Hong Kong — a figure reached with patience rather than fanfare.
The immediate headline belonged to Invincible Ibis Sha Tin victory, delivered in the Class 3 Poinsettia Handicap over 1600 metres, but the broader significance was impossible to miss. With the Hong Kong Classic Mile on 1 February fast approaching, the colt’s latest performance confirmed both stamina and temperament at the precise moment connections wanted answers.
Settled from barrier three, Invincible Ibis was allowed to find his rhythm along the rail, travelling midfield as the field stretched and compressed through the back straight. The race changed shape quickly on turning for home, with runners fanning across the course. Zac Purton, calm as ever, waited for space to appear rather than forcing the issue. When it did, the response was immediate. The Hellbent gelding quickened decisively, surging through the inside gap to assert clear authority and score by one and three-quarter lengths in 1m 34.97s.
For Newnham, the satisfaction was layered. “It’s good to get the 100 out of the way. We’ve been stuck on 99 — I felt like a bad cricketer,” he said with a smile afterwards. “I’m just pleased it came with this horse in this race. He’s a nice, progressive horse.”
More importantly, the win is expected to lift Invincible Ibis into the ratings range required for the Four-Year-Old Classic Series. “That should see his rating lift to get him into the series,” Newnham added. “He’ll need another run before then, but he’s improving every start.”
The Four-Year-Old Classic Series opens with the Hong Kong Classic Mile over 1600 metres on 1 February, followed by the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) on 1 March and culminating in the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on 22 March. Performances like this suggest Invincible Ibis is learning how to win races the right way — settling, conserving energy, and finishing with intent — traits that matter more as distances increase.
Purton, who brought up his 50th winner of the campaign later on the card, was equally encouraged by the manner of the Invincible Ibis Sha Tin victory. “He keeps improving, which is a nice thing,” the rider said. “He did it a different way today, coming inside and through them. He keeps doing what we ask him to do.”
Earlier on the programme, Purton had partnered Circuit Fiery to success in the opening section of the Class 5 Amaryllis Handicap (1400m) for trainer Chris So, before completing his bookending double with Invincible Ibis. That consistency at both ends of the card mirrored the broader pattern of the afternoon.
So also struck again when Manythanks Forever captured the second section of the same Amaryllis Handicap under Andrea Atzeni, giving the stable an early double. The gelding travelled sweetly and found enough in the straight to fend off his challengers, continuing a quietly productive period for the yard.
At the top end of the programme, Sky Trust produced a sharp performance to land the Class 2 Ivy Handicap (1200m) under Maxime Guyon, briefly nudging Caspar Fownes clear in the trainers’ standings before Newnham’s later success restored parity. Fownes, who has trained seven winners this month, was quick to point out that Sky Trust remains a work in progress. “He’s a horse that can go further — he’ll be better at 1400 metres — so there’s some races coming up and, hopefully, we can get another win for the owners,” he said.
Guyon doubled up earlier when guiding Glaciated to victory in the first section of the Class 4 Tulip Handicap (1200m) for Pierre Ng, enjoying a productive day before concluding his short-term riding stint.
Hollie Doyle, nearing the end of her Hong Kong engagement, added her own note to the afternoon by steering The Red Hare to victory in the Class 3 Spruce Handicap (1400m) for Frankie Lor. “Third time lucky,” Doyle said. “He’s quite highly strung and quirky, but I’ve gotten to know him in the mornings and it paid off.”
Cody Mo enjoyed a strong finish to the card, with Emblazon dominating the Class 4 Pok Oi Cup Handicap (1300m) before Nyx Gluck delivered a second success in the Class 4 Erica Handicap (1400m) under James McDonald. “This race worked out well for him,” Mo said of Nyx Gluck. “For now this trip seems to be good for him.”
McDonald also found success aboard Fit For Beauty in the Class 4 Hibiscus Handicap (1600m) for John Size, rounding off a productive final day of his visit.
Earlier still, Turquoise Velocity made an eye-catching debut in the Class 4 Cedar Handicap (1000m) for Francis Lui and Keith Yeung, while Aurora Patch cruised to a second career win in the Class 3 Holly Handicap (1200m) for Manfred Man and Matthew Chadwick.
Yet as the dust settled, the meeting circled back to one central image: Invincible Ibis striding clear up the Sha Tin straight. The Invincible Ibis Sha Tin victory was measured rather than flashy, but in the context of a demanding Classic pathway, it was precisely the statement his connections were hoping to make.
Hong Kong racing continues at Happy Valley on Tuesday, 23 December.
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