Mark Newnham will look to bounce back in the trainers’ championship with a strong hand at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, headlined by Crimson Flash in the Class Two Daisy Handicap (1,200m).

Newnham has hit a quiet patch with just one winner from the past 10 meetings, but still sits third in the championship standings with 36 wins.

Crimson Flash last stepped out in the Classic Mile (1,600m) at Sha Tin when he struggled at the trip, but he will be back to his ideal track and distance where he has saluted twice before under regular jockey Andrea Atzeni.

The pair will combine again on Wednesday where they will jump from barrier three carrying 120lb.

“He had the rating and we thought it was worth the throw at the stumps. He didn’t run out the mile, so he’s going back to his favourite track and distance. He’s drawn well, he trialled nicely last week, so he goes there in pretty good form,” Newnham said.

With seven weeks between races, the son of Showtime has spent a month at Conghua and won a Sha Tin dirt trial by more than five lengths ahead of his upcoming assignment.

“He had a rough preparation into the Classic Mile. I sent him up to Conghua, gave him a little bit of a freshen-up and he’s bounced back well. The trial last week showed that he looks like he’s back to his best,” Newnham said.

The ever-consistent Max Que will look to improve his outstanding record when he lines up in the Class Three Snapdragon Handicap (1,650m).

From seven starts this season, the Akeed Mofeed galloper has secured three wins, a second and three third placings. While those feats will see him carry 135lb, a favourable barrier draw of five and the services of Zac Purton should help his cause.

“He always showed talent last season without winning, but he’s put together a really solid record this year. He’s creeping up in the weights now, but he’s held his form well. He looked to trial well last week. He’s drawn well in five – he’s still got wins in him even though he’s high in the ratings,” Newnham said.

Purton will also take the reins on last-start winner Ace War when they contest the Class Four Dahlia Handicap (1,800m).

The British import scored his first victory in Hong Kong on March 4 after being transferred to Newnham’s stable.

The distance and barrier draw of three should be the ideal combination for the five-year-old when he steps out on Wednesday.

“He pulled quite hard so it didn’t look pretty, but he got the result,” Newnham said.

“He stepped up sharply in distance from 1,650m to 2,200m. Now he’s got to do that coming back in distance. Hopefully from the good draw he relaxes better. I think the 1,800m could help him relax and now he’s had a confidence-building win, hopefully he can go on with it.”

Diamond Sparkle will make his debut in the Class Four Ireland Trophy (1,200m) with Luke Ferraris on board. The So You Think three-year-old has had four trials since arriving in Hong Kong and has progressed through them well.

“He’s shown improvement in each trial. This will be his first start, I think he’ll probably need a couple of races before we see the best of him here in Hong Kong without previously racing. He didn’t have a lot of education before he came so I think he’s going to need a race or two before we see some good form from him,” Newnham said.

While barrier 11 will prove a challenge, Diamond Sparkle has trialled at Happy Valley and taken well to the tight track.

“He got around there quite well. Luke [Ferraris] was pleased with the way he handled the track. It’ll be difficult – first run in a race and 11 of 12 at Happy Valley is not an easy task. But he’s got to start off now and he’ll be better for it,” Newnham said.

Newnham has a full card of runners on Wednesday, rounded out by Soaring Bronco, Armor Golden Eagle, Notthesillyone, Zephyr and Power Koepp.