My Wish delivered a first Group One victory for both himself and Mark Newnham in Hong Kong when taking out Sunday’s Champions Mile at Sha Tin.

Newnham secured elite-level triumph in just his third season training in the jurisdiction, after recording four Group Ones victories in Australia. It was another addition to what has been a brilliant season for the handler, who won last month’s Hong Kong Derby with Invincible Ibis.

My wish had begun the season with Group Two and Group Three triumphs, and finished second by a short head to race rival Lucky Sweynesse in the Group Two Chairman’s Trophy (1,600m) at his most recent start.

In a fast-run edition of the Champions Mile, jockey Hugh Bowman elected to take the Flying Artie gelding well back in the field from his draw of 10. Copartner Prance went forward to take the lead, with the sectionals ensuring the backmarkers would always be capable of storming over the top of the front runners.

Positioned back in the field with Invincible Ibis, Bowman commenced his run on My Wish from the 500m when leaving the rail to improve wider. Joining in at the top of the straight, he was able take over inside the 200m and kept on to hold off Cap Ferrat by a neck, turning the tables on last year’s Hong Kong Derby winner who had beaten him by an agonizing short head in that race.

After making the decision to ride My Wish over stablemate Invincible Ibis, who he had partnered to win the Derby, Bowman was impressed with his charge who had given every indication that he was ready to put in a peak performance regardless of the wide barrier.

“It was pretty smooth, actually. We were very confident going into the race,” Bowman said.

“When the draws came out and he drew 10 – it [had been] proved to me and the team in the lead-up race that he enjoys being ridden a bit conservatively. I felt as though a lot of those horses which had drawn around in the outside really had no choice but to roll forward if they wanted to win the race. And it created a pretty decent tempo, I feel.

“I haven’t seen the sectional times, but throughout the gallop we were well back, but racing really, really rhythmic. The horse was in a beautiful rhythm and breathing consistently and that gave me confidence at some point.

“The pace had to steady because there was some distance between myself and the horse in front of me. And as we approached the turn he started to travel into the race particularly well. I found myself getting to the outside without having to really make too many manoeuvres.”

Bowman was thrilled to be on board as My Wish as he secured an eagerly-anticipated Group One win for connections.

“It was there for everyone to see; what he was capable of doing when I let him go. It was no surprise to us, he’s done it before and I was very proud to see him do it at this level,” Bowman said.

Newnham echoed Bowman’s assuredness in the five-year-old’s ability ahead of the task.

“Like Hugh, we were really confident with the horse – as much as you can be going into a Group One race,” Newnham said.

“His work here last Saturday morning was exceptional. I was just sitting in the grandstand and he came flying by. Hugh is a man of few words generally when he gets off one and has galloped them, but you could just tell in his voice that that was as good as the horse would go.

“We knew, when the way things worked out during the race, his turned a foot would be superior at the end, and it has been.”

Invincible Ibis also ran an admirable race and will take improvement from racing at set weights against older opposition.

“Both of mine were back in the field which is always a nervous watch but we’ve got James McDonald and Hugh Bowman on them so we couldn’t be in better hands,” Newnham said.

“I was proud of both of ours. Invincible Ibis when he comes back next season he’s going to acquit himself well in this grade. My Wish has taken a season and a bit to win his Group One, but I think the way he’s going now I don’t think we’ve seen the last of them.”

The Australian trainer expressed pride in his team, and credited them for their hard work.

“It is an important part of my career but it is an important part of the stable’s career and the team with me. I’ve got a great team of people,” Newnham said.

“I’ve got two terrific assistant trainers – Henry here in Sha Tin and Ivan in Conghua. And all the way down from the work rider, the head lads and the mafoos – everyone’s really invested in the stable and that’s something that I really enjoy because I know tomorrow morning when I get to the stable they’ll all be buzzing, they’ll all be smiling and it’s a reward for everybody’s stable.”

My Wish will now head for a break before a tilt at December’s Hong Kong International Races.

“That’ll do him now. I think I’ve turned the screws pretty tight on him for today’s race. He can have a good rest now and we’ll start looking at December and lead up properly,” Newnham said.

United Kingdom raider Docklands also ran a respectable race, placing third by three quarters of a length after missing the start.

Outside of the placegetters, Japanese competitor Jantar Mantar ran second last as the $3 favourite after jumping only fairly and being bumped twice early.

Jockey Yuga Kawada told stewards his mount did not travel well throughout the race and, in his opinion, was not suited by racing on the Sha Tin surface – particularly as it had raced disappointingly at its previous race start at the track last December.

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