The Road to the Derby took on sharper definition in the Hong Kong Classic Mile as Mark Newnham’s Infinite Resolve announced himself a genuine force in this season’s Four-Year-Old Classic Series. With the HK$13 million feature serving as the opening leg of the trilogy, the gelding’s surging late run to finish second has injected fresh intrigue ahead of the Hong Kong Classic Cup and the Derby itself.
With less than a fortnight until the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) on 1 March and the 149th HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) looming on 22 March, Infinite Resolve stepped out from the shadows of more heralded rivals with a performance of substance and style.
Having his first attempt at 1600 metres in the city, the 19/1 chance settled comfortably in midfield as the tempo lifted early. When the field straightened, he threaded his way between runners with admirable composure, quickening sharply to chase home the powerful Little Paradise, who had enjoyed a softer passage before unleashing a decisive sprint.
Newnham was measured but quietly satisfied.
“He’s a good-class horse. There was always a doubt about him at 1600m but what he did have going for him going into it was a positive run at his start before where he relaxed really well and hit the line,” he said.
“I still had some doubts whether he would run a mile, but horses who relax well and conserve energy can generally stretch out in distance, especially against their own age group.
“Once he drew a good barrier and was able to switch off, he was always going to have a good turn of foot.”
Purchased by the Absolute Return Syndicate after one win from six starts in Australia, where he competed at Group 2 level, Infinite Resolve is by Snitzel, whose influence on Hong Kong’s Classic Series is already well established.
Hong Kong Classic Mile run reshapes Classic picture
The Hong Kong Classic Mile not only highlighted Infinite Resolve’s staying promise, it reshuffled perceptions within Newnham’s camp.
While Infinite Resolve was his stable’s best finisher in the Classic Mile, Newnham still holds Invincible Ibis in high regard despite a sixth-place finish from barrier 11.
“The run he had didn’t help him. Certainly no jockey error, he was just back and wide and trying to make a long run. The winner was coiled up like a spring and had to sprint 200m, whereas I had to make a 700m run,” he explained.
“I thought he still ran with a lot of merit and I think the 1800m will be fine for him. He probably just needs a more economical run. It will be a different race entirely.”
Elsewhere in the Hong Kong Classic Mile, Crimson Flash (11th) and Winfield (13th) found the contest beyond them on the day. Crimson Flash is set to return to shorter distances, while Winfield’s immediate future remains under consideration following his last-place effort over 1650m on dirt at the weekend.
Newnham’s weekend runners extended beyond the feature. Lucky Sam Gor was an unlucky fourth in a Class 3 1600m restricted to four-year-olds, with Legend Winner finishing 12th behind the fast-finishing Stormy Grove.
The trainer also has Derby aspirations for Aerodynamics, rated 74, who endured a troubled passage at his latest outing.
“Aerodynamics was very unlucky the other day, he should have been in the finish but just got chopped out,” Newnham said.
“He’s going to run in the Class 3 2000m on the same day as the Classic Cup. I think it’s the same race Massive Sovereign won, so that’s the theory behind going there – for him to show some form at 2000m and get himself a berth in the Derby.”
Looking ahead to the week’s action at Sha Tin, Regal Gem, Super Express and Seraph Gabriel are among the notable four-year-olds set to line up, further deepening what is shaping as a compelling Classic generation.
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