Salani Kahle to bid a fond farewell
Road to the Derby: Invincible Ibis underlines potential as Mark Newnham...
In the second instalment of The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Road to the Derby series, we unpack the claims of in-form Mark Newnham-trained galloper Invincible Ibis.
With less than five weeks until the first leg of the 2025/26 Four-Year-Old Classic Series – the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) on 1 February – and with the 149th HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on 22 March on the horizon, Invincible Ibis is on the march after recently posting his third successive victory.
While only relatively new to the Hong Kong scene, Newnham knows what it takes to give the Classic Series a shake after he prepared My Wish to snare last season’s Hong Kong Classic Mile before running second in the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) and the BMW Hong Kong Derby.
“You’d say he’d have to be in the top three (favourites for the Hong Kong Classic Mile) at the moment. He’s improved every run and that’s what you need to keep doing,” said Newnham.
“I was in a similar position last year with My Wish and he improved all the way through, so we’re hopeful that we can do the same thing this year.”
Secured by Newnham for the Ibis Syndicate from the 2023 Ready to Run Sale at Karaka in New Zealand, Invincible Ibis posted two seconds from as many starts as a three-year-old in his debut season before returning a more mature animal this season.
After finishing third on the opening day of the 2025/26 season, Invincible Ibis has reeled off three straight victories culminating in a one-and-three-quarter-length victory under Zac Purton in the Class 3 Poinsettia Handicap (1600m) at Sha Tin on 20 December.
It was that most recent victory over a mile that gives Newnham confidence that his son of Hellbent will be competitive deep into the Four-Year-Old series.
Settled on the fence behind midfield by Purton, $2.95 chance Invincible Ibis took ground off his rivals on turning before coming off the rail soon after straightening, attacking the gap when it presented and striding clear of his rivals, which included fellow Four-Year-Old Classic Series hopefuls Fortune Boy and Dazzling Fit.
“That was important because as we work through the whole four-year-old series he’s going to have to go past a mile,” said the trainer. “He’s got the right racing pattern for it – he relaxes well during his races so he gives himself every opportunity to finish the race off if he’s conserved energy.
“He gives himself every opportunity to run further than a mile. They went fairly steady the other day but he still had to finish the race off.
“He looked like he still had more to give over the last 100m, so things are trending in the right direction.”
Before trying to emulate the feats of My Wish, who has gone on to be a strong Group 1 performer, Invincible Ibis will have one more chance to add to his mark of 83 when he runs in a Class 3 1600m contest restricted to four-year-olds at Sha Tin on 11 January.
The Contenders
| Name | Rating | Trainer | Owner | Record | Country of Origin | Import Type |
| Sagacious Life | 90 | Pierre Ng | Leslie Lui Chi Yuen | 1-0-0-2 | Brazil | PP |
| Invincible Ibis | 83 | Mark Newnham | Ibis Syndicate | 3-2-1-6 | Australia | PPG |
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December 20 Selangor Preview By Mark Lydeamore
Tiger can prowl up the ladder
Obsidian the obvious value play in Grand Heritage
The festive build-up continues at the Vaal on Saturday, 20 December, with a 10-race programme highlighted by the World Sports Betting Grand Heritage, one of the most intriguing betting puzzles on the local calendar. Though officially a Non-Black Type feature, the R500,000 contest demands respect for its depth, unpredictability and rich rewards for lower-rated runners.
Race 6 is unique in South African racing. With 23 runners lining up over an unusual 1475m, the Grand Heritage offers hard-knocking horses a rare shot at life-changing prize money. The result is a wide-open race that rewards punters willing to look beyond reputation and focus on value.
Last year’s runner-up Master Christmas returns and is sure to attract support after handling the hustle of the race well twelve months ago. Mike and Mathew de Kock also feature strongly, saddling Yippee Kiyay and Calantha, while Pressonregardless arrives in top form for the shrewd Dawid Nieuwenhuizen yard.
However, Obsidian shapes as the standout value option. Johan Janse van Vuuren’s Erupt gelding is in peak form and improving at the right time. His partnership with S’manga Khumalo is a major positive, having produced four wins and a third from five starts together. That understanding could prove crucial in a race where timing and positioning are everything.
Obsidian’s latest victory over 1400m was a career-best effort, and even under a small penalty, he looks capable of being a major late threat. With many rivals exposed on tight marks, siding with a progressive runner carrying momentum makes strong betting sense.
Beyond the feature, Palace Prince appeals in the Grand Heritage Consolation after excuses last time, while Race 8 winner Wayne looks a horse to follow as he continues to progress.
In a race designed for surprises, Obsidian stands out as the runner punters can confidently build their bets around.
Clive RobinsonSouth Africa Express Form & Race Previews (Turffontein) – January 01
RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: TURFFONTEIN STANDSIDE@2026.01.01
Turffontein Standside, 01.01.2026, Race 1, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R120.000, 12:05GMT+2
Race Summary: CUSTODIAN and NO DRAMA would have benefitted from pleasing introductory outings and with natural improvement could fight out the finish. Newcomers SABALENKA and OCEAN MISTRESS warrant a market check and betting support would speak volumes of their chances on debut.
Selections: #2 Custodian, #5 No Drama, #6 Ocean Mistress, #7 Sabalenka
Turffontein Standside, 01.01.2026, Race 2, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R105.000, 12:40GMT+2
Race Summary: ANAHITA fluffed her lines stretching out to 1800m but is worth another chance over this shorter trip. ONCEINABLUEMOON fits a similar profile so has to be respected. Improving SIKELOI was touched off over this distance last time and should fight out the finish with further progress. GALAXY QUEEN is engaged to run at earlier meetings but has the form and experience to play leading roles if taking the places.
Selections: #3 Anahita, #5 Sikeloi, #6 Galaxy Queen, #8 Onceinabluemoon
Turffontein Standside, 01.01.2026, Race 3, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R120.000, 13:15GMT+2
Race Summary: JAFFA ran on from a long way back after a slow start to finish a close-up 4th over 1450m last time. He should improve for the step up to this distance so will be hard to beat. SPACE MISSION and stablemate ONE OF THOSE DAYS (engaged to run at an earlier meeting) have a bit to find on that form but should be right in the mix. MILAN’S WORLD also has earlier engagements but has shown enough to be competitive too.
Selections: #9 Jaffa, #10 One Of Those Days, #1 Milan’s World, #4 Space Mission
Turffontein Standside, 01.01.2026, Race 4, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R100.000, 13:50GMT+2
Race Summary: MERRYWEATHER caught the eye when a fast-finishing 3rd over track and trip in the 3YO Grade 3 Fillies Mile and a repeat of that in a smaller field, albeit off a 4-point higher mark against male opposition, should suffice. SINGLETON SAM, BLIZZARD QUEST and BUDDY BOY are lightly raced and open to improvement so they could make life difficult for the filly.
Selections: #6 Merryweather, #1 Singleton Sam, #4 Buddy Boy, #2 Blizzard Quest
Turffontein Standside, 01.01.2026, Race 5, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R150.000, 14:25GMT+2
Race Summary: Unbeaten GRAND EMPIRE has won both outings in the manner of a bright prospect and this extended trip could unlock any amount of improvement, so it should pay to follow his progress. Hard-knockers MAX THE MAGICIAN, PIONEER SQUARE and KUDZU have the form and experience to expose any chinks in the selection’s armour.
Selections: #6 Grand Empire, #1 Max The Magician, #7 Kudzu, #2 Pioneer Square
Turffontein Standside, 01.01.2026, Race 6, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R135.000, 15:00GMT+2
Race Summary: Cases can be made for most but a chance is taken on BAKWENA improving stepping back up to 1800m with the headgear. FUTURE DATE, DIMAKO’S JET and KISSING MACHINE are closely matched on recent form and have the means to give cheek.
Selections: #2 Bakwena, #4 Future Date, #5 Dimako’s Jet, #8 Kissing Machine
Turffontein Standside, 01.01.2026, Race 7, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R105.000, 15:35GMT+2
Race Summary: Recent maiden winners TOP SHELF TEDDY and FRANGIPANI are maturing 3yo fillies and should acquit themselves competitively with further improvement expected over this trip. However, preference is class-dropper LITTLEMISSSPLENDID who didn’t go unnoticed in a stronger race last time and races off a reduced mark. SURPRISE PARTY is carded to run on 30 December, can get into the picture too.
Selections: #3 Littlemisssplendid, #4 Top Shelf Teddy, #5 Frangipani, #6 Surprise Party
Turffontein Standside, 01.01.2026, Race 8, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R90.000, 16:10GMT+2
Race Summary: None of these inspires any confidence but PEACE TREATY represents an attractive betting proposition dropped to this grade off a reduced mark. MAJALUN and CASUS BELLI are closely matched with that rival on the form of a recent 2000m meeting. CREPUSCOLO can get into the picture too if building on improved recent displays.
Selections: #1 Peace Treaty, #4 Majalun, #5 Casus Belli, #12 Crepuscolo
Turffontein Standside, 01.01.2026, Race 9, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R112.500, 16:45GMT+2
Race Summary: UNITED OFFER wasn’t disgraced in a 3yo Grade 3 Fillies Mile last time, despite excuses, and she could play a leading role if having overcome those issues. RINGA RINGA ROSES forms part of powerful three-pronged attack for the Lucky Houdalakis yard and she is progressive, boasting solid form credentials over a similar trip. Stablemates AL GREENGA and RUSSIAN NOBILITY are recent maiden winners open to any amount of improvement on their handicap debuts. The former appears the pick of the stable’s trio on riding arrangements but the well-related latter could offer better value.
Selections: #5 Russian Nobility, #2 United Offer, #10 Al Greenga, #3 Ringa Ringa Roses
Best Win: #6 GRAND EMPIRE
Best Value Bet: #2 BAKWENA
Best Longshot: #2 BAKWENA


























