At Sha Tin Racecourse, Mark Newnham will send out a formidable two-pronged challenge in Sunday’s HK$24 million Group 1 FWD Champions Mile, confident that both My Wish and Invincible Ibis have the credentials to make a serious impact.
FWD Champions Mile 2026.
The leading trainer believes there is little to separate his pair heading into the 1600m contest on 26 April, with each arriving in strong condition and primed for a big run on one of Hong Kong’s flagship race days.
Invincible Ibis, fresh from his triumph in the BMW Hong Kong Derby over 2000m, faces the task of dropping back in distance while stepping into deeper company. My Wish, by contrast, has long hinted at Group 1 success and returns once again to the FWD Champions Mile seeking a deserved breakthrough after consistent high-level performances.
Newnham struck an upbeat tone when assessing his chances.
“The preparations of Invincible Ibis and My Wish are very smooth and they are both well prepared for the big race on Sunday,” he said. “Invincible Ibis has to step back in trip to a mile from 2000m, but his form over a mile is good.
“His biggest challenge this weekend is the seasoned horses. In the Derby, the ratings of runners were between mid-70 to 100, but in the Champions Mile all the runners carry ratings of over 100.”
The progressive profile of Invincible Ibis has been one of the stories of the season, the gelding improving steadily with each outing. Yet Newnham remains realistic about the test ahead.
“Invincible Ibis has improved all the way throughout this season and he will run well on Sunday. But how well? We can only wait and see on Sunday afternoon,” he added.
If Invincible Ibis brings upward momentum, My Wish offers proven consistency at the top level. Runner-up in last year’s Derby, the five-year-old appears to be peaking at the right moment.
“My Wish is training well and he will finish the race strongly in the Champions Mile,” Newnham said. “He is such a consistent runner that anytime you run him he will be going well. Hugh worked him last Saturday and the feedback from him is very positive. The horse is as good as ever.”
That reliability, combined with an extra year of development, may prove crucial in a race where experience often counts.
“My Wish has an extra season of training, and I hope he can go up another level,” Newnham explained. “He performed well last time, just beaten by a Group 1 winner, while Invincible Ibis has to jump from the Derby, but as long as he is trouble-free in the race he should run well. The Sunday race is the one that’s not easy to win — we need everything to go right for us.”
On raw ability, the trainer sees little between the two, though My Wish’s exposure to elite competition could give him a slight edge.
“The progress of Invincible Ibis is similar to that of My Wish at the same stage last year. Their form lines are similar too,” he noted.
Adding further strength to the stable’s hand is the booking of two of the sport’s most accomplished riders, with Hugh Bowman partnering My Wish and James McDonald aboard Invincible Ibis.
“Anytime you’ve got James is a bonus. He is a fabulous jockey, while Hugh is a world-class rider too,” Newnham said. “Both of our horses are not difficult to ride and I’m sure they will get the job done.
“It’s a great day for the stable as both will have a realistic chance.”
Sunday’s 11-race FWD Champions Day programme at Sha Tin begins at 12.30pm, setting the stage for one of the most anticipated miles of the season, where Newnham’s pair will look to turn promise into Group 1 glory.
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