Australia: I Wish I Win needs better racing luck in Doomben 10,000

Racing luck has recently abandoned the Australian sprinter I Wish I Win, who will be heavily favored to win his second Group 1 race in the $1 million Doomben 10,000 Stakes at six furlongs at Doomben Racecourse near Brisbane on Friday evening.

Last fall, in his final start of 2023, I Wish I Win overcame traffic in the final furlong to finish second by slightly less than a half-length in the $12.8 million Everest Stakes at six furlongs at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, the world’s richest sprint.

In his only subsequent start, I Wish I Win closed with a wide rally to finish third by a little more than a neck in the Group 1 T.J. Smith Stakes at six furlongs at Randwick on April 6, a race the 5-year-old gelding won in 2023.

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In the Doomben 10,000, I Wish I Win was even-money in early betting on Thursday to beat eight rivals, including five fillies and mares. A 5-year-old New Zealand-bred gelding by Savabeel, I Wish I Win will be ridden by James McDonald, who leads Australia’s jockey in money earnings this season.

McDonald rode I Wish I Win for the first time in the recent T.J. Smith Stakes.

Trained by Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, I Wish I Win has won 6 of 19 starts in his career, including four of 10 starts since being moved from New Zealand to Australia in mid-2022.

In the Doomben 10,000, I Wish I Win has a tricky draw on the inside post. The outsiders Body Bob and Mazu are likely to ensure a good pace, but McDonald must find a clear path for I Wish I Win.

Private Eye, a Group 1 winner in 2021 who was third in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes at seven furlongs at Randwick on April 20, and the mare Espiona, a Group 1 winner in 2023 who was seventh in the All Aged Stakes, are two other closers capable of posing a threat to I Wish I Win.

The Doomben 10,000 is part of a nine-race program that begins at 9:48 p.m. Eastern or 6:48 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

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