Mark Newnham became the first trainer to hit 20 winners for the season when Notthesillyone and New Forest extended his premiership lead to six with victories on the all-dirt card at Sha Tin on Thursday evening.

The 57-year-old came into the meeting with a four-winner lead over Caspar Fownes but marched another two clear of his nearest rival to keep his goal of a top-three finish in the championship firmly in sight.

His night got off to the perfect start when his first runner, Notthesillyone, led all the way in game fashion to collect the Class Five Tsim Mei Fung Handicap (1,200m) under Luke Ferraris.

Always clear in the lead, the pair looked set to collect by a cosy margin at the 200m pole, but they were quickly pegged back by Cheer For South, who dived in the final strides but missed out by a nose in a desperate finish.

“He’s been a really solid horse – at the end of last season he won by an inch in a Class Five from gate one with a perfect ride. Yet his three runs this season showed that he’s at least got some options with running on the dirt and each of his runs have been really good,” said Newnham of Notthesillyone.

Things got even better for Newnham in the finale, with Lyle Hewitson snagging a birthday winner with victory aboard New Forest in the Class Three Pyramid Hill Handicap (1,650m).

Forced to sit behind the strong pace of Precision Goal early, Hewitson made his move off the final bend and was soon clear, routing his rivals by three and three-quarter lengths in dominant fashion.

“Lyle has been a good member of our team. He rides a lot of trackwork and trials and he’s been riding in great form,” Newnham said.

“I just wanted to give him that run in between just to keep his fitness levels up for tonight. Tonight was always our target and he’s done a really good job. He’s got really good, tough and consistent form now.”

After 15 meetings, Newnham is the man that the pack has to chase down, but the Australian is staying measured and will just keep grinding away.

“My goal is to run in the top three, but history will tell you that the percentage of wins we’re having at the moment – you can’t maintain that,” said Newnham.

“Generally the person who wins the premiership will be on about 12 per cent and I will have a lull at some stage. Hopefully there’s not, but there will be.

“As long as we can keep an even flow of winners, we’ll give ourselves every chance.”

Michael Chang Chun-wai also had a night to remember, with Leslie and the aptly named Super Joy N Fun striking for his second Sha Tin double of the campaign.

Both his winners had to do things the hard way, with Leslie coming from miles back to run riot in the Class Four Tin Ha Shan Handicap (1,650m).

It was a race-to-race double for Chang, with Super Joy N Fun performing similar heroics to pick up his first win in over a year in the Class Three Hebe Hill Handicap (1,200m).

“I think Leslie is well handicapped, he could have won a race in Class Three last season but he had problems with joint disease,” said Chang. “I’d really like to thank my stable vet, he’s given him a lot of help and he is moving a lot better now.

“Super Joy N Fun’s action and his pedigree showed me that he is a dirt horse. In Class Three on the grass, it’s too firm for him – I’m pretty confident he can keep going on the dirt.

“It’s been a good night for me – fast horses make a better trainer.”

Meanwhile, there were smiles all round after Vulcanus struck in section two of the Class Four Shek Uk Shan Handicap (1,200m) to give trainer Me Tsui Yu-sak and owner Dr Alan Lee Wai-kin a birthday winner.