by Richard Edmunds
Trainer Mark Newnham will line up talented 2-year-olds at two venues on Saturday, with a pair of Brisbane black-type contenders supported by a last-start winner in Sydney.
The first of the trio is Shadow Hero (Pierro) in the Listed Mitavite The Phoenix. Owned by Sweetbriar Equine, the gelding was a close second at Newcastle in his only previous appearance.
“It was an encouraging performance on debut in what has proved to be a pretty good form race,” Newnham said. “The third horse Prince Fawaz (Fastnet Rock) won at Randwick in his next start and is the favourite for the G1 J. J. Atkins next week.
“It was an encouraging performance on debut." - Trainer Mark Newnham
“Our horse has trained on well, he’s drawn the inside gate on Saturday and he’s looking for the mile. We’re looking forward to seeing how he goes.”
Pierro, sire of Shadow Hero
Shadow Hero also holds a J. J. Atkins nomination, but Newnham will wait until after Saturday’s race to make a decision on the June 8 feature at Eagle Farm.
“There’s some chance he’d back up into the Group One a week later, but we’ll worry about this weekend first and decide after that,” he said.
Diamond Thunder (Dawn Approach {Ire}) will carry the stable’s hopes in the following race on the Doomben programme, the Listed Authentic Security Oxlade S. After back-to-back wins at Hawkesbury and Warwick Farm, he worked to the lead at Rosehill last start before fading into third.
“He just did too much work the other day at Rosehill,” Newnham said. “He drew the outside gate and the horses inside him kept him out wide, he just had to do too much in the early part of the race. He’s drawn out again on Saturday, but I’m happy with the horse.”
In Sydney, last-start winner Splintex (Snitzel) will clash with eight other winners in an intriguing Southern Cross Turf H.
Splintex
“Splintex is a nice colt, he’s very quick,” Newnham said. “He broke well from an outside gate the other day, went forward, controlled the race from the front and was too good for them.
“He’s got another tricky draw this weekend, and it’s a stronger race, but I’d say he’s improved since his last run.”
"I’d say he’s improved since his last run.” - Mark Newnham
Further down the track, Newnham is looking forward to taking a Group One shot in Brisbane with Scarlet Dream (Sebring) on June 8.
“We’re aiming her at the Derby,” he said. “She’s done well since her last run and it looks like a nice race for her.”
Scarlet Dream
The winner of two races at Kembla Grange and Newcastle in November, Scarlet Dream has since run third in the G3 Kembla Grange Classic, seventh in the G1 Vinery Stud S., and second to top filly Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) in the G1 ATC Australian Oaks.
Her only start since then was in the G2 Roses at Doomben on May 18, where she made up late ground for seventh, 2.5 lengths from the winner Etana (Shamus Award).
