Australian trainer Mark Newnham has his prospective Derby hope starting at Sha Tin and in search of a Hong Kong century.
One of Hong Kong's leading trainers is hoping to convince the country's leading jockey to stick with him towards the Hong Kong Derby should Invincible Ibis salute at Sha Tin on Saturday.
With two wins and three placings in five starts so far, Invincible Ibis has Derby aspirations as far as trainer Mark Newnham is concerned and although Zac Purton has been in the saddle for the past two starts – those victories – but there is no guarantee he will still be there in the 2000-metre feature on March 22.
Unlike most derbies, the Hong Kong version is for four-year-olds and the gelded Invincible Ibis takes his next step in the Poinsettia Handicap (1600m) – the final race on the card.
Two-time Derby winning Purton's opinion post this run will be a major measuring stick for the son of Hellbent's Derby chances.
"Zac rides who he wants to ride and it doesn't always suit me," Newnham said.
"I actually chased Zac for this horse but he will jump off just as quickly.
"As we head to the four-year-old series, Zac probably has his pick of six or seven horses (towards the features) and after this race we'll find out if he's in his top two or three, or he casts him aside for something else,"
Last Sunday, Newnham saddled up five-year-old My Wish who finished sixth in the Group 1 Hong Kong Mile (1600m) and was a horse who at the same period as Invincible Ibis is now needed time and patience to find his best.
"By our ratings measure, Invincible Ibis also rates the same as My Wish at the same stage in their careers," Racing and Sports expert Jaike Altieri said.
"Invincible Ibis has put nice margins on handy horses his past couple and there's nothing in his profile that suggests stepping out to the mile is going to be an issue."
After Wednesday's Happy Valley meeting, Newnham sits equal with Caspar Fownes on this season's trainers' premiership on 24 wins while Purton leads the jockeys' charge on 48 with Hugh Bowman his nearest rival on 22.
On 99 and chasing his 100th winner in Hong Kong, Invincible Ibis is one of five starters for Newnham this weekend.
