Mark Newnham is not sweating a very rare winless run as the trainers’ premiership leader heads into Happy Valley on Wednesday evening with a pep in his step.

Five clear of his nearest rival David Hayes in the title race, Newnham had won at 13 consecutive meetings to start off the campaign, but has drawn blanks at the last three fixtures.

Six of his runners at those winless meetings finished in the top three, however, and Newnham is still more than happy with the way his string is running.

“We had three thirds at Sha Tin on Sunday - it’s clear the horses are still running very well, some may have just hit their ratings,” said Newnham.

“We just need to rely on some newer horses coming through in the next couple of months to keep us going.”

A feature of Newnham’s season has been his dominance of the dirt races, with Sing Dragon leading home a stable trifecta on the surface at Sha Tin on October 4.

That runner has gained all five of his local wins on the surface, but he was a dual turf winner in Australia and Newnham is hoping he can do himself justice and go back to back in the feature Class Two Shing Yip Handicap (1,650m).

“He’s run well on the grass before, he’s obviously more at home on the dirt but we have to run him at some point and this is suitable,” said Newnham.

“He’ll certainly run well, whether he’s quite good enough is the question we have to answer.”

Newnham also unleashes a pair of last-start winners at Happy Valley on Wednesday, including the aptly named Excellence Value, who runs in the Class Three Hing Yip Handicap (1,800m).

He was given a great ride by Zac Purton to get up late on his second run of the campaign over track and distance, and his trainer has liked what he has seen from his Fastnet Rock galloper since that run.

“He’s been very consistent and runs this track and distance good. He trialled very well last week as well,” said Newnham. “He’s in great form and got a good ride from Zac to win last time - I’m sure he’ll be in the thick of it.

“The draw [barrier 11] just means he’ll have to come from a bit further back and rely on the pace of the race, but hopefully that will come into his favour.”

The 57-year-old also runs Looks Outstanding, who finally lived up to his name with an impressive three-length success to bust his maiden three weeks ago.

He runs in section one of the Class Four Fat Tseung Handicap (1,200m) off a 10lb higher mark, which has Newnham cautiously optimistic rather than confident.

“He showed ability prior to his first start in Hong Kong and that was much more like it last start, but you don’t see many horses get a 10lb hike for a win at Happy Valley and then win next start,” said Newnham.

On a busy day for the trainer, who will be absent from the city circuit as he looks to strengthen his string at the sales in New Zealand, he also runs Power Koepp, Setanta, Bull Attitude and Happy Boys.