My Wish delivered a first Group One victory for himself and Mark Newnham in Hong Kong when taking out Sunday’s Mile Champions at Sha Tin.
Newnham secured an elite level win in just his third season at the jurisdiction, having recorded a fourth Group One win in Australia. It was another boost to what has been a good season for the holder, who won last month’s Hong Kong Derby with Invincible Ibis.
Ambition had started the season with Group Two and Group Three victories, finishing second by a short head to rival Lucky Sweynesse in the Group Two Chairman’s Trophy (1,600m) on his most recent start.
In a fast-paced edition of the Champions Mile, jockey Hugh Bowman was chosen to take on Flying Artie as he returned to the field from his 10th draw. Copartner Prance moved forward to take the lead, with the stakes ensuring that the rear runners would always be able to attack the front runners.
Backed up by Invincible Ibis, Bowman started his race on My Wish from 500m as he left the rail to improve. Joining at the top of the straight, he was able to take over inside 200m and went on to hold off Cap Ferrat by a neck, turning to last year’s Hong Kong Derby winner who beat him by a tight short head in the race.
Having made the decision to ride My Wish over the stallion Invincible Ibis, who had gone on to win the Derby, Bowman was delighted with his charge who had given every indication that he was ready to set a high standard regardless of the major obstacle.
“It was smooth, really. We were very confident going into the race,” Bowman said.
“When the draws came out and he drew 10 – (it) proved to me and the team in the lead race that he enjoys being driven conservatively. I felt like a lot of the horses that were out there had no choice but to move forward if they wanted to win the race. And it created a really good tempo, I feel.
“I haven’t seen the split times, but throughout the sprint we came back, but a really, really rhythmic race. The horse was in a good rhythm and breathing steadily and that gave me confidence at times.
“The pace had to settle because there was some distance between me and the horse in front of me. And as we approached the turn he started to travel very well in the race. I found myself coming out without having to do too many tricks.”
Bowman was delighted to be on board as Wish My secured the Group One victory he had hoped for in conjunction.
“It was there for everyone to see; what he was capable of when I let him go. It wasn’t a surprise to us, he’s done it before and I was really proud to see him do it at this level,” Bowman said.
Newnham echoed Bowman’s assurances in the five-year-old’s abilities ahead of the task.
“Like Hugh, we were confident with the horse – as far as you can go in a Group One race,” Newnham said.
“His performance here last Saturday morning was exceptional. I was just sitting in the big stall and he came galloping. Hugh is a man of few words generally when he gets off one and he has run them, but you could tell by his voice that that was as good as a horse would go.
“We knew, when things happened during the race, his turned leg would be better at the end, and it has been.”
Invincible Ibis also ran a lovely race and will benefit from a weighted race against bigger rivals.
“Both of mine came back which is always a nervous hour but we’ve got James McDonald and Hugh Bowman on them so we’re not in the best of hands,” Newnham said.
“I was proud of both of us. When Invincible Ibis comes back next season he’ll hold his own in this class. Wish My has taken a season and a bit to win his Group One, but I think the way he’s going now I don’t think we’ve seen the last of them.”
The Australian coach was proud of his team, and praised them for their hard work.
“It’s an important part of my job but it’s an important part of the club and the team’s work with me. I’ve got a great team of people,” Newnham said.
“I’ve got two great assistant trainers – Henry here at Sha Tin and Ivan at Conghua. And from the bottom up from the work rider, the top guys and the foos – everyone’s invested in the bullpen and that’s something I’m really happy about because I know tomorrow morning when I get to the barn they’re all going to be screaming, they’re going to pay everybody.”
My Wish will now go on hiatus before bowing out at December’s Hong Kong International race.
“That will help him now. I think I’ve got the screws on him for today’s race. He can rest well now and we’ll start looking at December and lead accordingly,” Newnham said.
British striker Docklands also ran a respectable race, finishing third by three-quarters of a length after missing the start.
Out of the contenders, Japanese contender Jantar Mantar finished second as the $3 favorite after jumping just flat and getting hit twice early.
Jockey Yuga Kawada told stewards that his mount had not traveled well throughout the race and, in his opinion, had not benefited from the race at Sha Tin – particularly as it had run in a disappointing manner at the start of his previous race at the venue last December.
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