Hong Kong trainer Mark Newnham is hopeful a strong performance from Invincible Ibis on Saturday can help secure the services of Zac Purton all the way through to the Hong Kong Derby.
Invincible Ibis has compiled an impressive record of two wins and three placings from five starts and Newnham believes the gelding is tracking well enough to warrant genuine Derby consideration.
Purton has partnered the son of Hellbent in his past two starts, both wins, but there is no certainty the champion jockey will remain aboard for the 2000-metre Derby at Sha Tin on March 22.
The four-year-old will step up to the mile for the first time when he lines up in the Poinsettia Handicap (1600m), the final event on Saturday’s program.
Newnham acknowledged Purton’s post-race assessment will be crucial as the four-year-old series approaches.
“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 will 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,”
Newnham drew comparisons to stablemate My Wish, who he saddled in last Sunday’s Group 1 Hong Kong Mile (1600m) where the five-year-old finished sixth after requiring time to reach his peak.
Racing and Sports analyst Jaike Altieri said the parallels between the two horses were encouraging.
“By our ratings measure, Invincible Ibis also rates the same as My Wish at the same stage in their careers,” 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.”
Following Wednesday’s Happy Valley meeting, Newnham sits equal atop the trainers’ premiership with Caspar Fownes on 24 wins.
Purton continues to dominate the jockeys’ standings on 48 wins, with Hugh Bowman next best on 22.
Approaching his 100th Hong Kong victory, Invincible Ibis will be one of five runners Newnham saddles this weekend.
Punters keen to follow Invincible Ibis can find markets and odds via Australia’s betting sites list.
