Mark Newnham is hopeful My Wish’s improving race manners will allow the lightly-framed gelding to continue a barnstorming surge through the Four-Year-Old Classic Series with success in the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Weighing only 990lb, My Wish defied more powerfully-built rivals with narrow victory under Luke Ferraris in the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) – the first leg of the HK$52 million Four-Year-Old Classic Series.
Newham trialled My Wish last Friday (February 21) and was pleased with his effort to finish third over 1200m on Sha Tin’s dirt as the Flying Artie gelding maintained a familiar routine.
“I’ve been really pleased with him. He’s come through the Classic Mile in good shape, held his condition well. He’s been able to follow the same programme that he has had pretty much all season with the month between runs with an easy trial in between,” Newnham said.
“He’ll have one gallop later in the week, so the preparation is the same as it has been the whole way through and he’s in good form.”
Starting the season as a 54-rater, My Wish has risen to 95 in the handicap with four wins from 1200m to 1600m.
Better racing manners and a more settled approach generally have been integral to his progress, leaving Newnham optimistic his charge can stay 1800m.
“He’s still got to tick that box (getting 1800m) but the one thing we’ve seen from him as the season’s gone on is that he’s relaxing in races and conserving energy well. He got himself into a perfect spot last start with good gate speed and then was able to relax and wait,” the Australian horseman said.
“I think that’s the big difference we’ve seen in him in the last few starts in that he’s learning to save his energy, relax through the race and breathe and that’s giving him a good kick at the end. So, if we can do that over 1800m, he’s going to be hard to get past.
“He keeps improving because he’s improving with his manners more than anything – his race manners and his race craft have improved. He’s starting to relax and that’s what is helping him hold his weight and keep condition. All the little one percenters, he’s improving in.”
Luke Ferraris, who savoured the most important Hong Kong win of a burgeoning career with Hong Kong Classic Mile success, will again partner My Wish.
The young South African is fourth in the Hong Kong jockeys’ championship with 27 wins behind Zac Purton (84), Hugh Bowman (41) and Vincent Ho (27).
The Hong Kong Classic Cup entry also features Packing Hermod, Rubylot, Divano, Johannes Brahms, Stunning Peach, Mickley, Noisy Boy, Cap Ferrat, Californiatotality, Packing Angel, Mondial, Steps Ahead and Sky Trust.
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