Mark Newnham has had a great season so far In Hong Kong and produced an impressive winner at Happy Valley on Wednesday evening when Royal Meeting (IRE) three year-old King Lotus charged home to win.
Having just his second race start, King Lotus was doing his best work on the line in the 1200m dash to win by a neck for Lyle Hewitson running away.
Hewitson was impressed with King Lotus, who looks to have a bright future.
“Fortunately, I’ve stuck with him from day one – he’s always given me a nice feel,” Hewitson said.
“We thought he would need 1400m, at least, before he wins and we thought he would be a nice miler.
“On debut, he ran a nice race. He got held up over the last few strides, he could have run fourth, and with natural improvement, he showed a bit more today. He’s an uncomplicated horse who’s getting better so the fact he got it right today is pretty impressive.”
King Lotus is the first winner in Hong Kong for young Lovatsville based sire Royal Meeting, best known as the sire of Group I MRC Blue Diamond winner Hayasugi.
He was sold privately to Hong Kong after winning a couple of barrier trials at Newcastle last year and is the first winner from L’Etoile, an unraced Pierro daughter of Group III winner Jade Marauder.
Royal Meeting stands at a fee of $22,000 this spring.
