The promotional billboards for Sunday’s Bank of China (Hong Kong) Raceday at Sha Tin showcase Hong Kong’s established superstars – Romantic Warrior, Ka Ying Rising and Voyage Bubble. But they share top billing with a new headliner: My Wish, the leading contender in the HK$5.35 million G2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (1600m).
The race is his final stop before a tilt at the HK$36 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile on December 14. With two authoritative wins already this season, My Wish has emerged as the city’s most exciting new force in the mile division.
Trainer Mark Newnham says the rise in profile is no surprise.
“I’ve noticed the attention, but his form warrants it,” he said.
Much has been made of My Wish’s relatively small frame – a touch over 1,000 pounds – but Newnham says the improvement has come through steady gains.
“He’s improved in a lot of little areas,” Newnham said. “He’s stronger, he holds his weight and his recovery after races and gallops is excellent. I can train him the way I want to now. It was harder to keep weight on him before, but those things are not a concern now.
“No doubt he has got better overall. The small gains are showing in his whole perfomabce, his appetite is better, pre-parade is improved - and it all adds up."
Those developments helped My Wish progress from Derby runner-up into a serious Group 1 contender, with wins in the Celebration Cup and Sha Tin Trophy confirming his rise.
Sunday also sees Newnham saddle Invincible Ibis, a last-start winner over 1,400m returning to the same course and distance as part of his preparation for January’s Hong Kong Classic Mile.
“He has a similar profile to My Wish at the same stage,” Newnham said of his 65-rater. “This guy has taken one extra run to get there, he just has to keep improving as My Wish did. The step up to 1400m showed that 1,200m is too sharp for him - and riding him quietly suits him at this stage – when he gets up to a mile he may be ridden closer at a mile, but right now he is gaining confidence because of the way he is being ridden at the moment and that will stand him in good stead for the future.”
Sunday also features the clash between Romantic Warrior and Voyage Bubble in the G2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup (2,000m) and the return to Hong Kong of the sprint sensation Ka Ying Rising in the G2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Sprint (1,200m).
