Written by Paul Vettise
Mark Newnham will be represented by a trio of last-start winners at Randwick, including the improving 2-year-old Dragonstone (Mikki Isle {Jpn}) who will be suited by the testing conditions and the roomy course.
The Warwick Farm trainer also has high hopes for the well-travelled I Am Power (Ire) (Power {GB}) in the Heineken H. and the progressive filly Allinthistogether (Shocking) in the Ranvet H.
Dragonstone will make his third appearance when he steps out in the Acy Securities H. following a debut third at Canterbury and then shed his maiden tag on his home track at the end of last month.
Dragonstone (blue and white stripe cap) | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“He’s a nice horse and he took a good deal of benefit from his first-up run. He went in there off of one trial and peaked on his run, whereas at Warwick Farm he raced in a better position and he handled the wet ground well,” Newnham said.
“He’s got a good, sharp turn of foot and he’s showed that at the trials when he’s been held up. He looks a horse that will appreciate getting to Randwick and he can handle wet ground well, which will be the case on Saturday.”
Dragonstone was bred by Forest Lodge, who have remained in the ownership after he failed to meet his $65,000 reserve when offered as part of the Holbrook Thoroughbreds draft at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
His dam Quick’s The Word (Shamardal {USA}) won on three occasions and is a granddaughter of the G2 Maribyrnong Plate and G3 Debutant S. winner Catchfire (Century).
“He was passed in and they put a group together to race him and asked me to train him,” Newnham said.
Dragonstone as a yearling
Well-travelled performer
The 6-year-old, I Am Power, has only raced 10 times and but he has covered a lot of miles after winning in Ireland, Hong Kong and last time out at Rosehill in May in his second outing for Newnham.
“For an older horse, he hasn’t had a lot of starts and he’s raced in three different countries and he’s trialled in New Zealand as well,” he said.
"For an older horse, he (I Am Power) hasn’t had a lot of starts and he’s raced in three different countries and he’s trialled in New Zealand as well." - Mark Newnham
“He was retired from Hong Kong racing with a few issues and went to New Zealand and after about 12 months they thought he was ready and able to do some work. He stood up and did quite a bit of work before he came over to me.
“I had him in work for quite a long time before I ran him first-up at Gosford. He ran a terrific race to finish second in his first run for two years and he backed it up with a win.”
I Am Power is owned by Derek Tam and Peter Coffey, who previously raced the G3 Newcastle Newmarket H. winner Lanciato (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) from Newnham’s stable.
“They thought he was worth a second chance over here and so far it’s proving pretty good,” he said. “There’s just a bit of a question mark on Heavy ground, he’s unproven on it.”
Lightweight hope
Allinthistogether was a close-up fourth on debut at Canterbury Park and then romped home in her maiden victory at Gosford.
“She’s a really good and improving filly who liked the wet ground the other day. She will appreciate a big track and I would rather it be over a little further, but with the ground expected it to be pretty wet. It will be a good test and she’s only got 52kg,” Newnham said.
Allinthistogether was a $62,000 buy for Edinglassie Stud at the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale where she was offered by Fairhill Farm.
The 3-year-old is a half-sister to the G1 Captain Cook S. winner and sire Wyndspelle (NZ) with their dam Western Star (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}) a half-sister to the G3 Eclipse S. winner Lady Alberton (NZ) (Golan {Ire}) and the family of the G1 Doncaster H. winner and sire Grunt (NZ).
