Mark Newnham is looking to cap off an already “brilliant” season when My Wish and Invincible Ibis break from barriers 10 and five respectively in Sunday’s Group One Champions Mile at Sha Tin.
One of three Group One races at Sha Tin, the Champions Mile has a wide-open feel to it, with not much separating a large portion of the 14-strong field.
The draw did little to help solve the puzzle, with all the key contenders drawing well enough, including last year’s fourth My Wish, who arrives with a year’s extra experience.
He kicked off the season with Group Two and Group Three wins and although five subsequent starts have not seen him add to his tally, he has maintained a smart level of form, most recently finishing a short-head second to Lucky Sweynesse in the Group Two Chairman’s Trophy (1,600m).
Hugh Bowman – who had the choice of both My Wish and Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) winner Invincible Ibis – chose the former in a tough decision, with James McDonald picking up the ride on the latter.
“I’m happy enough with both draws; it’s an even field. Luck in running, pace and lots of other factors will come into it but I’ve got two of the world’s best jockeys on my horses and they’re in good hands,” Newnham said.
“My Wish went terrific last start – I’d say only the pace of the race brought him undone, but Lucky Sweynesse is a fabulous horse and went into it with the right form lines behind Ka Ying Rising and Romantic Warrior, which is the superior form going into this as well.
“I think Hugh made the right choice, with both horses at this stage of their careers. The history of the race tells you that more seasoned horses that have had the extra year of racing against better company make a difference.
“The other factor is that Invincible Ibis already had his grand final in the Derby, so coming back to the mile is going to be a task. It’s a task he’s talented enough for, it’s whether he’s seasoned enough for it yet.
“I would have been happy whichever way Hugh went – when you’ve got this calibre of jockey wanting to ride your horses, then you’re in good hands.”
Invincible Ibis has enjoyed a remarkable campaign, soaring from a rating of 55 when shattering his maiden, to a mark of 107 following his barnstorming win in the city’s most sought-after race.
Newnham made the decision to drop him back in distance, rather than keeping him at 2,000m for the Group One QEII Cup, and the competition he would have faced was another factor in that choice.
“I thought the mile was suitable at this stage, but taking on Masquerade Ball and Romantic Warrior was a factor,” Newnham said.
“They’re two of the highest rated horses in the world – do you really want to be throwing in your horse who is rated 107 against them at this early stage? Probably not.
“Regardless of what happens from Sunday until the end of the season, we’ve had a brilliant one. Whatever happens from here would be a bonus for the stable.”
Of the other key players in Sunday’s race, Japan’s Jantar Mantar will break from stall six as he looks to bounce back from a below-par run in the 2024 Hong Kong Mile, where he was sent off one of the favourites but only managed to beat one horse home. Fellow raider Strauss has barrier seven.
The inside barrier went the way of Harry Eustace’s Docklands, with the trainer’s representative labelling the draw “almost perfect” as he bids for a second Group One success.
Chairman’s Trophy winner Lucky Sweynesse will jump from stall four, while Classic Mile winner Little Paradise (two) and Sunlight Power (three) were some of the other better draws in the field.
Crowd favourite and six-time Group One hero Voyage Bubble drew wide in 12, while Galaxy Patch (13) and Cap Ferrat (14) were also dealt poor draws.
