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Well-traveled Landfall to make local debut for Newnham

3 minute read

Jetsetter Landfall has lobbed in Sydney for trainer Mark Newnham

Trainer : MARK NEWNHAM.
Trainer : MARK NEWNHAM. Picture: Martin King / Sportpix

Nine-year-old gelding Landfall has been in more countries than an Amazing Race contestant, but has now settled into Mark Newnham's Sydney facilities with a look to racing over the summer. 

Boasting eight victories and almost $3 million in prize money, the Myboycharlie progeny has shown plenty of ability in both local trials to date and has given Newnham something to look forward to over the coming months. 

Speaking with Sky Racing's Ally Mosley on Tuesday, Newnham explained he has some feature races on the agenda. 

"He's had an interesting life, he's probably got more stamps on his passport than most people," Newnham said. 

"He was born in France, raced in Ireland. Raced in Hong Kong, retired to New Zealand (and) found his way over here.

"Hopefully resuming in the Festival Stakes in a couple of weeks' time.

"I think Landfall is certainly a horse that had international Group 1 form, so if we can get him back to anywhere close to that level he might be a chance in the Villiers or the Ingham as it's called this year." 

Despite being a nine-year-old, Landfall is still fairly lightly-raced having had a few issues along the way. He was last seen competing in the Group 1 Stewards Cup at Sha Tin almost two years ago, where he was a commendable fifth behind local superstar Golden Sixty beaten less than three lengths. 

"He's a lovely old horse," Newnham said. 

"He had a tendon injury and that's why he been so long off the scene. But he's moving really well. 

"He doesn't have a lot of racing on the clock so if we can manage to keep him sound, he's going to be a handy edition to the stable." 

Looking forward to the return of night racing at Canterbury on Friday, Newnham is taking a strong team to the races and is hopeful of a winner or two. The stable has been in red-hot form of late with 11 winners coming from their last 50 runners, striking at 22%. 

He lines up his Your Song three-year-old gelding Skylight Song in the opening Maiden Handicap over 1250m.

"He was only grabbed on the line the other day," Newnham said.

"I did have him in at Hawkesbury Wednesday, but he's drawn the outside so Canterbury Friday night, two runs back from a spell. He looks as fit as I am going to get him." 

Newnham then has another maiden galloper Diamond Drummer engaged in the Schweppes Plate over 1550m. 

"He's getting closer to a win," Newnham said.

"Last week at Hawkesbury was actually the first time he's found a good track and performed really well, hit the line strongly on a track that favoured horses on pace. 

"So he's close to a win and a three and four-year-old maiden he wouldn't be far away." 

Later in the card Newnham has his Reset gelding Mission Phoenix contesting the Benchmark 72 Handicap over 1550m, second-up from a break. 

"He ran really well first-up at an unsuitable distance," Newnham said. 

"Up to 1550m around Canterbury, blinkers back on. I expect him to run really well." 

Newnham's final runner on the card is the promising Written Tycoon gelding Amortal, who is building up a handy record from limited opportunities. 

"He's trialed really well, he's only had three starts (for) two wins," Newnham said. 

"He's been plagued with a few issues, this time he's coming back from throat surgery. 

"He's ready to go first-up 1100m at Canterbury." 


Racing and Sports

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