Mark Newham reclaimed the trainers’ championship lead from Caspar Fownes and went on to extend it by two wins after scoring a treble at Sha Tin on Sunday with Max Que, Ever Luck and Ace.

Now sitting on 45 winners for the season, Newnham has carried on his super form after securing a five-timer at Happy Valley, followed by victory in the Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) with Invincible Ibis.

Newnham’s treble was headlined by the consistent Max Que who proved his capability in Class Two company at his first attempt when taking out the Shaw Alumni Handicap (1,600m).

After starting the season with a rating of 54, the son of Akeed Mofeed catapulted to 79 ahead of Sunday’s assignment and has now registered four wins from nine starts this term while not missing a top-three placing at both Happy Valley and Sha Tin.

“The horse did very well here at Sha Tin. The horse has been very consistent this season – he’s just a really solid horse. He makes my job easy, you can plan for either venue,” Newnham said.

A patient ride from Alexis Badel saw the five-year-old finish strongly from the Caspar Fownes-trained duo of Joy of Spring and Sky Heart by half a length and three-quarters of a length respectively.

Breaking from barrier three with the light weight of 120lb, Badel let the pace go early and took Max Que back towards the tail before pulling him to the outside from the 300m mark and closing powerfully.

“What helped him today I think was getting to a point in his rating and being able to run with a light weight,” Newnham said.

“His last couple of starts at Happy Valley when he’s carried top weight, he just hasn’t been able to quite get the job done. He’s been close, but not quite there. And today, with a nice light weight, good stalking ride from Alexis, he was really good late.”

Newnham was pleasantly surprised to see his reliable performer salute in Class Two company.

“At the start of the season, I probably didn’t think he was going to be a Class Two winner so I’m happy with what he’s achieved so far. He’s just a very genuine horse, so you can send him out there and know he’s going to do his best – if that’s good enough to keep winning, great. But he’s had a fantastic season,” Newnham said.

Ever Luck returned to winning form with an all-the-way victory in the Class Four Faculty Of Education Alumni Handicap (1,000m), where he appreciated a drop back in trip and the application of blinkers.

Carrying 135lbs from barrier 13, he was nursed along in front by James Orman before being shaken up late. Despite the winning margin coming back to half a length from Run Run Sunrise, the Capitalist galloper never looked in danger of defeat.

“He’s always had natural speed, so with the blinkers on and dropped to 1,000m, we just decided to play to his asset. He’s struggled previously at 1,200m carrying 135lb but I thought today, with the blinkers on, he just had to use the outside fence as his guide and use that speed,” Newnham said.

Newnham plans to save Ever Luck’s runs this season and doesn’t have any intention to stretch further in trip in the near future.

“As a three-year-old, I think the 1,000m trip is as far as he wants to go. He won’t have too many more runs this season,” Newnham said.

Ace was able to break his Hong Kong maiden stylishly in the Class Five Chung Chi Alumni Handicap (1,400m) at his first start for Newnham after being recently transferred to the stable.

Jerry Chau Chun-lok rode him quietly on the rail and saved the Tivaci galloper for one last run at them in the straight, careering away for a comprehensive victory of two and a quarter lengths from Bling Bling Genius.

While a drop to Class Five company for the first time saw the four-year-old finally salute, it will be a fleeting visit to the grade according to Newnham.

“He won with a bit of authority so I think there’s still improvement to come,” Newnham said.

“I think he’s better than Class Five. He arrived in good condition. We trialled him the one time at Happy Valley, I was pleased with the trial. He galloped very well during the week. He drew a good gate, Jerry gave him an excellent ride, and I think that’ll help the horse’s confidence.”

After triumphing over the 1,400m trip, Newnham will keep Ace to his winning distance for the foreseeable future.

“I thought 1,400m was a suitable distance for him. I’ve ridden him a couple of times in work myself and I just thought that’s probably the right distance for him now,” Newnham said.

“He might go a little bit further in the future, but I think we’ll just stick to the 1,400m at the moment.”