Mark Newnham tuned up for the Longines Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) when Notthesillyone continued his fine form on the dirt in the Class Four Austin Handicap (1,200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.

It was Newnham’s fifth win on the surface this season and his backers never had a moment's worry, with Luke Ferraris controlling things from pillar to post on the Super One galloper.

Pinging out of gate 10, Notthesillyone was always travelling well on the front end and showed a good burst of acceleration to sprint clear of his rivals 300m out, before holding off the late surge of Vulcanus by half a length.

“He’s handled the transition to the dirt well. He’s consistent and has got stronger after a break – his racing manners have got a bit better. He’s more tractable too – he’s not going as keenly which allows him to just see out the 1,200m,” said Newnham.

“He’s won over the 1,000m at Happy Valley too and I think he’s probably that type of horse, plus the 1,200m on the dirt. He may have reached his ceiling now but he’s a really solid horse.”

It is now all systems go towards HKIR for Newnham, who will look for his first Hong Kong Group One success when he tackles the Hong Kong Mile with My Wish.

His rising star is climbing the ladder and after Group Two glory at Sha Tin in October, he lost little in defeat when fourth in the Group Two Jockey Club Mile last month – his first level weights Group assignment.

“I can’t fault him. His work was really good here on Saturday morning. He had a grass gallop, worked well and pulled up well. It’s full steam ahead, that’s for sure,” Newnham said.

“It’s always nice to have runners in these races and it’s even better to have one with a legitimate chance of winning.”

Embrace Aberdeen surprises Lor

Embrace Aberdeen’s boilover debut victory at Sha Tin on Sunday certainly left Frankie Lor Fu-chuen surprised, but the trainer confirmed he won’t be shocked if there’s plenty more to come from his promising three-year-old.

Sent off a $60.4 chance on the back of five middling trials – the latest of which saw him finish three and three-quarter lengths behind fellow debutant and race favourite Vigor Eye – Embrace Aberdeen travelled nicely in the one-one spot under an expert Matthew Poon Ming-fai steer.

Asked for an effort upon straightening, Embrace Aberdeen assumed the lead entering the final 200m and dug deep late to hold off the heavily backed Aurio by a short head.

“He looked like he was still a little bit fat but I’d trialled him five times already so it was time to put him in a race,” said Lor of the son of All Too Hard.

“Drawing gate nine was a little bit tricky so I asked the jockey to follow the horse on his inside and go forward and he got him in a good position. To win was a surprise though.

“You can see today he was still only around 80 per cent so I think he will improve from this race.”

Fownes continues strong form

Caspar Fownes continued his strong recent form when Glory Cloud struck it lucky at the 20th attempt in the Class Five Cameron Handicap (1,200m).

The trainer had a double at Happy Valley on Wednesday and made it four winning meetings in a row when his long-standing maiden was given a fine ride by Ellis Wong Chi-wang to salute.

Parked towards the back, Wong began to make ground turning for home with his mount full of petrol and when fully let down, Glory Cloud surged down the outside to collect the prize by a cosy three-quarters of a length.

“Very happy. The horse has been with us a long time and had a lot of problems. I’d like to really thank the owners for their patience – they’re lovely people and I’m very happy I could get a winner for them,” said Fownes, who sits on 21 winners for the season and three behind premiership pacesetter Newnham.

“I’m not worrying about the championship at this stage. We’re just worrying about getting these horses to start performing and pay their way – it’s expensive in Hong Kong and we’re just trying to do our job.

“If we get some winners for our owners then that’s awesome. Regarding championships, you’re only worrying about that in February if you’re still in the hunt.”

Last HKIR runners arrive

All 20 overseas gallopers set to run at next weekend’s HKIR have now touched down, with Irish quartet Los Angeles, The Lion In Winter, Al Riffa and Galen the last to land on Sunday afternoon.

Setting the scene for Sunday’s four Group One contests is Wednesday night’s International Jockeys’ Championship, with the rides for the four-race competition to be allocated at Sha Tin on Monday morning.