Can Crimson Flash arrest Mark Newnham's mid-season slump?

Mark Newnham heads into Wednesday’s Happy Valley meeting in a mid-season slump but Crimson Flash might be the horse that can restore momentum for the stable.

Newnham has won just one of his last 60 and is riding a 23-race run-of-outs ahead of the meeting but Crimson Flash looms as a major player in a highly competitive Class 2 over 1200 meters.

Crimson Flash earned a place in the Hong Kong Classic Mile but after he was unplaced, Newnham freshened the son of Showtime, put blinkers on and has brought him back to sprints. 

“It was a bit of a throw at the stumps going into the Classic Mile, but he had the rating to be there,” Newnham said. “He ran a good race, he just didn’t see out the 1600m. His best form’s been 1200m at Happy Valley so he’s had a good freshen up, trialled well.”

Newnham brings a strong team of nine to the Valley, including early favorite Ace War - a horse that won at his first start for the stable two weeks ago over 2200m. 

“Coming back to 1800m might help him actually relax,” Newnham said. “At 2200m he pulled hard on a slow pace so for him to keep on progressing I’d like to see him relax better in his races but he couldn’t have done any more in his own run for us.”

Max Que is also prominent in betting markets for the final race of the evening, a 1650m Class 3.

“He’s rated 79 so he’s getting close to that Class 2 level but he’s kept improving all the way through. He’s shown good form at both tracks so it does give you a few more options,” Newnham said of Max Que, adding that incoming stable transfer Soaring Bronco might be one to watch in the opening race, a Class 5 over the extended mile.

“Interesting one,” the trainer said. “His trial was quite good at Conghua for me, hopefully it’s just that change of environment that sparks a return to form.”