Super Ex builds on exceptional beginning

Mark Newnham’s association with Macau as a jockey has paid dividends as a trainer, after talented colt Super Ex continued as impressive maiden preparation at Randwick.

The Hong Kong-owned three-year-old held a quality field at bay in the Benchmark 75 Handicap (1300m) to hit the line in a track record time on Saturday.

Super Ex ($3.30) set the tempo under Hugh Bowman and registered the third win of his campaign by a short neck from Albumin ($21).

Godolphin’s $2.45 favourite Beau Geste was third, three-quarters of a length further back.

Super Ex clocked 1min 14.59sec to erase the wind assisted mark set by the Pater and Paul Snowden-trained Dracarys (1:14.76) a fortnight ago.

Newnham said Super Ex was purchased for $105,000 a the Magic Millions breeze up sale last October.

“It goes back to my days when I rode in Macau. The owner’s horses are managed by one of the trainers there, Joe Lau,” Newnham said.

“Joe put me in touch with the owner, it’s been a fruitful start for us.

“It’s a very good buy now, he’s beaten a good quality field of colts.”

Newnham said Super Ex would probably head for a break ahead of a crack at the $2 million 3YO Magic Millions Guineas (1400m) on the Gold Coast in January.

“He’s eligible for Magic Millions so if he’s going to have a break before then he’s probably going to have to have it pretty soon.”

He was confident Super Ex would handle the step up in trip to 1400m and be even better pursuing a frontrunner.

“I think he’ll run it easily. I think you’ll find he probably chases better,” Newnham said.

“He’s pretty fool proof, he can sit there, he doesn’t over use himself.”