My Wish carries Newnham’s Sha Tin Trophy hopes after Ibis blow

By Paul Ryding

Mark Newnham had high hopes for both of his runners in Monday’s (19 October) feature HK$5.35 million G2 Sha Tin Trophy Handicap (1600m) before the unfortunate withdrawal of 2026 Hong Kong Derby (2000m) hero Invincible Ibis on Thursday (15 October). But he is still confident that his stable star My Wish can overcome a demanding impost to triumph for a second successive year.

Last time out on 26 April, My Wish made his Group 1 breakthrough at the fifth attempt with victory in the HK$24 million G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m). This season, he goes into the Sha Tin Trophy first-up and gives weight to nine of his 10 rivals. But Newnham believes three impressive trial victories have left the Flying Artie gelding fit enough to run well on Monday.

“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.

“When he won this race last year, he’d already had a run under his belt, and he went in with 115lb. So, 131lb this time, but he’s done enough work. He’s not a heavy horse, so he’s going in fit enough, but he’ll still need things to go right for him.”

My Wish’s Champions Mile-winning rider Hugh Bowman is currently sidelined through injury. He will be replaced by nine-time champion jockey Zac Purton, who partners the six-year-old for the first time, having been in the saddle for all three trial victories this term.

Newnham also said drawing barrier three meant Purton should be able to enjoy a comfortable passage during what is intended to be a preparation run for December’s LONGINES Hong Kong International Races.

“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.

“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.”

The Australian handler was measured about the left fore ligament injury suffered by Invincible Ibis, which he said will likely see the galloper miss December’s showpiece meeting.

“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 saddles a potential 2026/27 Four-Year-Old Classic Series contender on Monday when Joyful Joy (122lb) contests the Class 3 Sha Kok Handicap (1600m).

Joyful Joy made a splash on debut last season, scoring at 53/1 after a classy ride from James Orman saw him pick through traffic to claim victory by one and a half lengths. He claimed a second career win on 6 September when he swept from the rear under Bowman.

Orman is excited to be back aboard on Monday when the son of Gold Standard tackles a mile and steps into Class 3 company for the first time.

“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.

“He’d been trialling up pretty well against Class 3 and Class 4 horses at Happy Valley. So, the ability was always there.”

“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,” he added.