My Wish will face a demanding assignment when the six-year-old returns to action in the HK$5.35 million G2 Sha Tin Trophy Handicap over 1600 metres at Sha Tin on Monday, 19 October, but trainer Mark Newnham remains confident that last season’s winner can defend the title despite carrying 131lb.
Newnham had initially planned to run two horses in the feature event, but the withdrawal of 2026 Hong Kong Derby winner Invincible Ibis on Thursday, 15 October, has left My Wish as his sole representative in the race. The Australian trainer, however, believes the stable star has done enough during his preparation to make a strong return.
My Wish produced the defining performance of his career on 26 April, securing his first Group 1 victory at the fifth attempt in the HK$24 million G1 FWD Champions Mile over the same distance. He now faces a different challenge, beginning his new campaign against 10 rivals while conceding weight to nine of them.
Three encouraging trial performances have helped build Newnham’s confidence ahead of Monday’s contest. The trainer believes his charge is sufficiently forward to be competitive, although he recognises that the increased impost leaves little room for error.
My Wish Faces a Stiffer Test in the Sha Tin Trophy
My Wish carried just 115lb when winning the Sha Tin Trophy last year. This time, the six-year-old will shoulder 131lb, making the task considerably tougher as he returns without a previous race under his belt this season.
“I’ve been very pleased with him,” Newnham said. “He’s had three trials now. He’s going in there pretty forward, which he needs to.”
The trainer added that the horse had completed enough work to be ready for the assignment, despite not being a particularly heavy type. However, he acknowledged that the outcome would depend partly on how the race developed.
My Wish’s regular Champions Mile-winning jockey, Hugh Bowman, remains sidelined through injury. Nine-time champion jockey Zac Purton will take over the ride, having partnered the gelding in all three of his trials this season. Monday will mark Purton’s first race-day association with the horse.
Barrier three should help Purton secure a favourable early position without having to settle too far back. Newnham views the race primarily as an important preparation step towards the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races in December and the challenges that lie beyond.
“He won’t have to drag back out of the race. He should be able to find a good position there. Zac’s been pleased with him. So, how the race unfolds would probably determine his chances.”
Newnham made it clear that the longer-term campaign remains the priority. He expects My Wish to improve from Monday’s outing as he builds towards the major international meeting.
“I want him at his best in December and later on in the season. So, whatever he does on Monday, he’ll certainly improve again.”
Invincible Ibis Faces an Uncertain Recovery Period
Newnham also provided an update on Invincible Ibis, whose left fore ligament injury has raised doubts over the four-year-old’s participation in the December international meeting.
The trainer said the recovery timeline had yet to be established, leaving the stable waiting for a clearer picture of the horse’s condition. His immediate concern, he stressed, was allowing the Derby winner sufficient time to recover before returning to competition.
“I’m not sure what recovery time we’re looking at yet. Obviously, it’s not ideal, but the horse comes first, and it’ll be when he’s ready,” Newnham said.
Joyful Joy Begins His Class 3 Challenge
Newnham will have another interesting runner to follow on Monday when Joyful Joy carries 122lb in the Class 3 Sha Kok Handicap over 1600 metres. The lightly raced prospect could emerge as a contender for the 2026/27 Four-Year-Old Classic Series if his progress continues.
Joyful Joy made an immediate impression on debut last season, winning by one and a half lengths after James Orman navigated through traffic with a well-judged ride. The victory came at odds of 53/1, but the gelding subsequently showed that his first success was no isolated performance, recording a second career win on 6 September after coming from the rear under Bowman.
Orman returns to the saddle for Monday’s mile contest, which will mark Joyful Joy’s first appearance in Class 3 company. The jockey is optimistic that the step up in distance will suit the son of Gold Standard.
“I was lucky enough to win on him last season, and he won well,” Orman said. “He’s got a good record. He’s only lightly raced and I’m excited to see him over a mile. I think it will suit him well.”
The jockey also pointed to the gelding’s encouraging trial performances at Happy Valley against horses from both Class 3 and Class 4, suggesting that his ability had been evident before his latest victory.
Joyful Joy’s September success has also received support from subsequent performances by horses associated with that race, strengthening the case for his move into the higher grade.
“His win in Class 4 (on 6 September) was very good, and the form has been franked around that race. So, I can’t see why he can’t win in Class 3, and he might even measure up to the (Four-Year-Old Classic) Series, hopefully,” Orman added.
Monday’s 11-race programme at Sha Tin will begin at 12.30pm with the Class 5 Shek Mun Handicap over 1800 metres. The Sha Tin Trophy headlines the meeting, with My Wish aiming to build on last season’s success while Joyful Joy looks to establish himself among the emerging prospects for the season ahead.
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