Everything is going to plan with I Wish I Win’s preparations for The EverestA strong hitout between races at Caulfield last Saturday has trainers Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman fully satisfied that I Wish I Win is on target for The Everest at Randwick on October 14.
The decision to start the Waikato Stud homebred in just one lead-up race, the Gr. 1 Memsie Stakes, over 1400m at Flemington six weeks out from the big one, has been queried by some, however both senior trainer Moody and regular work rider Coleman remain steadfast.
"We're happy, we're happy with the prep, very happy with the path we have chosen,” Moody said after I Wish I Win had paired up with his Group Two-winning stablemate Boogie Dancer in the Caulfield hitout.
"Katherine and I were having a chat before he went out and looked at him and thought he's just about there. You can see he's pulled up very clean in the wind; it's just a matter of maintaining him the next three weeks.”
Following the tough call by connections of the defending champion Giga Kick to withdraw him due to a hindquarter muscle issue, I Wish I Win and last-start Gr. 1 Stradbroke Handicap winner Think About It headed the market as $4.50 equal favourites.
Subsequent developments include champion Hong Kong jockey Zac Purton being booked for the James Cummings-trained In Secret, and her stablemate Cylinder – fresh from running third in last Saturday’s Gr. 1 Golden Rose – confirmed to run for the James Harron Bloodstock slot.
Late Tuesday came the news that Sunshine In Paris had been withdrawn due to a suspensory ligament issue, leaving Aquis Farm’s slot vacant. The winner of the Gr. 2 Sheraco Stakes in her season-opener earlier this month, she was to be Annabel Neasham’s first starter in The Everest.
Coinciding with that defection, the top of the market was tweaked, with Think About It tightening to $4 favouritism over I Wish I Win at $4.50.
Kiwi mare Imperatriz remained high in the market at $6, but connections have reiterated their preference to remain in Melbourne.
Confirmed runners with slot-holders:
THINK ABOUT IT (Newgate/GPI Racing) $4
I WISH I WIN (Trackside Media) $4.50
PRIVATE EYE (Max Whitby/Neil Werrett) $6
BUENOS NOCHES (TAB) $8
IN SECRET (Godolphin) $11
CYLINDER (James Haron Bloodstock) $11
OVERPASS (ATC/RAM Bloodstock) $13
MAZU (The Star/Arrowfield) $21
Slot-holders yet to confirm a runner: Aquis Farm, Chris Waller Racing, Coolmore and Yulong Investments.
