Mark Newnham looks to have another smart one on his hands after Lucky Ranger made it second-time lucky with a dominant success in the first section of the Class Four On Ting Handicap (1,400m).

The Vanbrugh galloper ran a big race on debut from a wide draw but with the benefit of the run under his belt, he was able to defy stall 14 on this occasion under an ice-cool Luke Ferraris.

Able to settle midfield with cover from the widest stall, the pair ambled into contention and when let down in the straight, Lucky Ranger powered clear despite racing greenly when striking the front to win by a length.

Only a three-year-old, time is certainly on Newnham’s side and he will now look to give his promising sort some time to progress with a view to a big four-year-old campaign next season.

“He’s quite a promising horse and Luke has done a really good job with him. He was quite a nervous horse when he arrived so needed some quiet hands, and Luke has ridden him in all his trials and jump outs,” said Newnham.

“Today, stepping up to 1,400m, Luke got him into a really good position from the outside gate. Midfield with cover was the ideal spot but it was whether we could actually get it. Luke did a great job and he won as a result.

“Once he got that position in the race, I was very relaxed. I thought if he got a reasonable position he’d be too good for them in the straight.

“He’s only a three-year-old and is a small horse that is still maturing. We won’t overtax him this season and he will be a nice mile horse for next year.

“He’s got a lot of improvement to come – he’s still very immature both physically and mentally and as he develops he’ll really come on, especially over the mile and possibly a bit further.”

Hayes keeps pace with Newnham

David Hayes has his sights firmly set on a third Hong Kong trainers’ premiership after All Round Winner kept him within one win of Mark Newnham at the top of the standings.

A fair amount has happened in his career since Hayes collected his two titles for the 1997-98 and 1998-99 seasons, but that elusive third title he has been chasing since his return in 2020 is certainly in range.

Hayes has whittled down Newnham’s advantage with a slew of victories in recent weeks and All Round Winner’s cosy success in the second section of the Class Four On Ting Handicap (1,400m) kept him on pace after Newnham collected a winner himself.

The first-time blinkers clearly made the difference to the Divine Prophet galloper, who settled midfield under Harry Bentley before unleashing a smart turn of foot to mow down the leaders and win by a length.

The victory kept the healthy strike rate between Hayes and Bentley chugging along, and there could be better to come from the four-year-old galloper.

“His trial sent a message – his trial was excellent in Conghua and Harry Bentley gave him a 10-out-of-10 ride. I would have been disappointed with the run he had if he didn’t win today,” said Hayes.

“[Bentley and I] are having a really good run and he pairs up to ride a lot of Apollo Ng’s syndicate horses – Romantic Son and Tomodachi Kokoroe and this horse.

“He’s been very consistent but not concentrating. Firstly he was a colt and now he’s a gelding and the blinkers really improved him.”

Hayes now sits on 34 wins for the campaign, one behind Newnham and two ahead of fellow chaser Caspar Fownes, while the 13-time champion John Size ominously moved onto 25 after Flow Water Flow’s last-gasp win.

Things can change very quickly in Hong Kong racing, however, which is something Hayes is acutely aware of.

“I’m clipping Newnham’s heels. It’s anyone’s race at the moment – maybe by Easter it will be clearer,” said Hayes.

“I know John was equal with me at this time last year and he won by eight, and I ran second and beat Caspar by eight, so it changes a lot in the last half.”

Lui continues remarkable run

Francis Lui Kin-wai continued his brilliant patch of form with another brace of winners, headlined by Galactic Voyage’s smart win in the Class Three Tai Hing Handicap (1,200m).

It was a first Hong Kong win for the one-time Australian winner, who surged home to help Jerry Chau Chun-lok towards a double on the card, which was finished off by Emblazon’s triumph in the Class Three Yan Tin Handicap (1,400m).

Lui kicked off his double with the fast-charging short-head win by King Dance in the first section of the Class Four Lung Yat Handicap (1,200m).