Mark Newnham expects a return to 2,000m and significant drop in weight to give Bravehearts a significant boost in Sunday’s Class Two Buffalo Hill Handicap at Sha Tin.

A revelation since joining the Australian trainer this season, the former Argentinian Group One winner recorded barnstorming Class Three victories over 1,600m and 2,000m to start his new campaign before a solid third over 1,800m last start.

Carrying top weight of 133 pounds on a day where most winners were on the speed, Bravehearts ran on from the back half of the field to be beaten two lengths by Californiatotality.

The five-year-old steps back up to his preferred trip on Sunday and Newnham believes he can take advantage of his light weight of 118 pounds.

“It’s a nice race for him down in the weights and back up to 2,000m,” Newnham said.

“I think the other day back to 1,800m, he just wasn’t sharp enough, especially with top weight. So 2,000m with a light weight is good. He did well to come on and run third and I’m sure back up in distance will be better for him.”

Newnham credited Bravehearts’ ability to settle in his races for his form turnaround, noting the Cityscape gelding had a tendency to pull hard last season when prepared by Jamie Richards.

Matthew Poon Ming-fai will again ride Bravehearts, who jumps from barrier two in the field of 10.

The competitive contest features Group Three victors Money Catcher and Senor Toba, as well as Atullibigeal, Awesome Fluke, Romantic Thor, The Best Peach, Winning Dragon, Star Contact and Naval Force.

Money Catcher (sixth), Awesome Fluke (11th) and Winning Dragon (12th) drop back in grade after finishing behind Romantic Warrior in the Group Two Jockey Club Cup (2,000m) last month.

While Money Catcher hasn’t won since the Group Three January Cup (1,800m) at Happy Valley in January last year, Frankie Lor Fu-chuen’s veteran has performed well in stronger company and looks suited at this level on Sunday.

Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) prospect Romantic Thor, winner of the Listed Dee Stakes (2,064m) in the United Kingdom when known as Capulet, lines up for his second start in the city, while another import Naval Forces makes his Hong Kong debut en route to a possible Derby tilt.

The Churchill gelding won three races up to 2,092m in Ireland when trained by Donnacha O’Brien and has trialled well for new trainer, Pierre Ng Pang-chi.

Third behind Ng on the trainers’ championship with 22 wins, Newnham is also bullish about Full Credit’s claims in the Class Three D’Aguilar Peak Handicap (1,200m) on the dirt on Sunday.

A three-time Sha Tin winner on turf, Full Credit finished strongly late to fall a neck short of stablemate Sing Dragon when second on his dirt debut last start.

“His only run on the dirt was great and he trialled well last week,” Newnham said.

“He showed at least in that first run on the dirt that he’s adaptable on there, whereas he’s led in his wins on the grass.

“Looking at what is in the field, they’ll be fast, so he’ll probably be needing to take a sit. He’s at least shown he’s adaptable to do that.”

Travel Golf, So Treasure and Excellence Value, a two-time Australian winner as Diabelli pre-import, are Newnham’s other Sha Tin runners.