New Zealand-bred sprinter I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel) will begin his march toward the A$20 million The Everest (1200m) when he heads to Caulfield on Saturday.
The Savabeel gelding will contest the Gr.1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) and trainers Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman are looking forward to seeing what he can do fresh-up in the A$750,000 event.
“He’s such a laidback customer, but even over the last week I can tell the difference in him,” Coleman said.
“He’s starting to have a play and a bit of a squeal here and there and feeling pretty happy in himself, so he’s ready to get back to the races.
“Getting back to the races, I think it will bring him on a lot. Just the trip away from home and getting back out there I think will do him the world of good.
“He’s still got a pretty wintery coat on him and he’s still carrying plenty of condition. He’s definitely not screwed down and it’s a hot race.
“Some of these horses are going to be a lot more forward than he is and obviously we’re not there to give him a gut-buster first-up. I think you’ll see him run well, but with a heap of improvement to come.”
I Wish I Win was bred by Waikato Stud and is raced by farm principal Mark Chittick in partnership with Moody.
Initially trained in New Zealand by Jamie Richards, the Savabeel gelding won two and placed in six of his nine starts for the now Hong Kong-based horseman, including placings in the Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m), Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m), Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m), Gr.3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m), Listed Mufhasa Stakes (1400m), and Listed Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m).
He subsequently transferred to Moody’s care where he has won a further four races, including the Gr.1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m), Listed Testa Rossa Stakes (1300m), A$10 million Golden Eagle (1500m), and placed in the Gr.1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) and Gr.1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m).
I Wish I Win fills The Everest slot of Trackside Media, who secured the use of Inglis’ slot in this year’s race.
