Mark Newnham can list the reasons why Sunshine Rising can’t really win the Festival Stakes and why he definitely shouldn’t be favourite.
However, the Randwick trainer will head west to Rosehill on Saturday full of hope that, after only one run in three years and a couple of barrier trials, the former Hong Kong star can make an impact; but he can’t believe the comeback galloper is the $3.90 favourite after as much as $8 was bet on Wednesday.
Vincent Ho aboard Sunshine Rising – then racing as Rise High – at Sha Tin in 2019.Credit:Getty
“If he wasn’t mine I would be totally discounting him because he hasn’t a run for three years, had a couple of tendon injuries and is nine years old,” Newnham said.
“Logic tells you he shouldn’t be a horse to be worried about beating you in a group 3, no matter how good he was in Hong Kong.
“He would be a horse that, if he beat you, you would just say ‘too good’ and look for another race.”
There is no doubt about the quality of Sunshine Rising, which raced as Rise High in Hong Kong. He was third behind Win Bright and Magic Wand in the 2019 Hong Kong International Cup, having previously ended the winning streak of Beauty Generation in the Sha Tin Trophy.
Newnham was asked to take Sunshine Rising after he was put back into work in New Zealand, and all the signs are promising.
“He had a scan on the injured tendon before coming over here, and we have given it another scan just to be sure he is ready to go,” Newnham said.
“He was a very good horse over there, and if he can get back to anywhere near that sort of form here, he will be winning races.
“I have got on him a couple of times in the mornings, and he’s a beautiful-moving galloper and his trials have been good. It’s time to go to the races where he will get the ultimate test.
“In the trials, he has only been asked to go for a couple of furlongs and done it very well. Race pressure is different and, if he stands up to it, I’m confident he will run well.
“After so much time off, he will be a little ring rusty so will be better for the run, but I’m happy with him and hopeful he can measure up.”
Empire Rose runner-up Mirra Vision, which is the $6.50 second pick in betting for the 1500m feature, brings group 1 form at the Flemington carnival into the race and will be at home on the firm track.
Newnham and the Snowdens also have the two horses battling for Starlight Stakes favouritism in Najmaty and Dragonstone, which is coming off a charging third in The Warra last week. They share the top of the market at $5.50.
“The last time I gave him a seven-day back-up he won the Bob Charley Stakes in June, and he’s in really good shape for this race,” Newnham said. “He has bounced off the run last Saturday and I think he will be closer to them over the 1100m at Rosehill and strong late.”
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