The Mark Newnham trained Flying Artie gelding My Wish continued his rise through the grades in Hong Kong with a decisive win in the Group II Sha Tin Trophy (1600m) on Sunday leading home an Aussie bred trifecta.
A dazzling first up winner of the Group III Celebration Cup (1400m) last month, My Wish took another step forward when racing clear to win the feature by a length and a quarter with Alex Badel in the saddle.
They clocked a brisk 1.32.55 for the 1600m and he did have the benefit of a luxury lightweight of just 52kg, while established champion Voyage Bubble carried a whopping 61kg and finished out of the placings at his first run this season.
“I had an awkward gate but we decided to make it simple not complicated and he just relaxed,” Badel said.
“He was waiting for me to ask him (for an effort) and when I did, he just responded well.”
Newnham is thrilled with the way My Wish has returned this season as he heads towards International Day in Deember.
“His race manners have improved as he’s matured,” Newnham said. “He’s got that good gate speed. He (Badel) had to use him a little bit – the inside runners weren’t going to make it easy for him. But when he got there, he waited and conserved energy.”
While My Wish was flattered by the weight scale on this occasion, Newnham is confident Newnham he can continue to step up.
“By that stage (HKIR), we’re meeting more on level weights,” Newnham said. “So, he’s got to continue to improve, but he’s doing the job well and I think there’s enough improvement to see him at that level.”
The next target race for My Wish is the HK$5.35 million G2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (1600m) next month.
Winner of the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) and second in the HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) last season, My Wish enhanced his overall record to six wins and five minor placings from 13 starts.
My Wish is the first foal of Reset mare Set The Tone, a winner over 2100m, from a family which includes Group I winners Mazu and Headway.
After producing My Wish, she wasn’t served again until 2023 when she returned to Flying Artie, producing a full brother to My Wish last year before being served by Hawaii Five Oh.
Flying Artie is one of the best value sires in Victoria and is priced at $11,000 at Blue Gum Farm.
