By Neil Evans
In his final month in Australia, Randwick trainer Mark Newnham is banking on a talented three-year-old sprinter kickstarting a farewell run at Thursday’s feature Newcastle meeting.
Troika, a dashing if still untapped son of group 1 powerhouse Russian Revolution, lines up in a wide-open Benchmark 64 dash over 900m to close the provincial meeting.
Sydney trainer Mark Newnham.Credit: Getty
And with Newnham bound for the new season in Hong Kong, he’s confident the right race has been found for Troika, who chases a third career win from eight starts.
Newnham announced several weeks ago he had accepted a position in Hong Kong, and will travel there next month.
“I will keep training from Randwick into May, then will wind down the operation out of Randwick and move to Hong Kong,” he said at the time.
“I have many Hong Kong clients, and they have supported me from the very start in Sydney, so I feel this is the right thing to do now for my career.”
But ahead of the Newcastle meeting, Troika is renowned for mixing his form.
He has won two of his last four, including a slashing win at Kembla where he powered home to win by nearly four lengths. But in between those runs were substandard showings at both Canberra and Hawkesbury, although getting back on firm ground looms as a big plus.
Earlier in the meeting, Newnham saddles up improving four-year-old King Adviso third-up in a boys only Benchmark 64 Hcp over 1400m.
The stable will then saddle up tough stayer Iowa fourth-up in either a Benchmark 78 or the feature Listed Gold Cup, both over 2100m, at this Saturday’s stand-alone Gosford card.
He has also accepted with smart three-year-old sprinter Shadow Vampire third-up in a Benchmark 78 Hcp over 1000m before he begins winding down the Sydney base.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
