My Wish lands Hong Kong Classic Mile for Newnham, Ferraris
Bristling with emotion, Luke Ferraris has jubilated in My Wish’s (Flying Artie) Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) triumph for Mark Newnham at Sha Tin on Friday, prompting the rider to reflect on Sweet Orange’s (War Front) success in the corresponding race in 2012.
Trained by Ferraris’s father David, Sweet Orange’s victory 13 seasons ago remains one of the rider’s most vivid memories from his childhood in Hong Kong.
Now 23, Ferraris joined his father – who saddled 461 winners in Hong Kong – on the Hong Kong Classic Mile honour board with a perfectly judged ride to fend off the Francis Lui-trained pair of Divano (Brave Smash) and Parking Hermod (Rubick) in 1m 33.98s.
Jumping away cleanly from barrier eight, Ferraris settled the gelding in fourth place, one off the fence and, approaching the home turn, angled into clear running before staving off a charging Divano, who rocketed from last on the turn in a race-best sectional of 21.98 seconds.
Reflecting on Sweet Orange’s victory under Weichong Marwing, Ferraris said: “I remember it like it was yesterday. Weichong was three-deep without cover the whole way, loomed up on the bend and fought off Fay Fay at the furlong.
“There were a few flashbacks which entered my mind today when he [My Wish] had to get game at the furlong and he did. He is 990 pounds of pure heart and he hasn’t been the easiest customer, so big credit to Mark and his team. It really shows the calibre of trainer he is. He improved with each and every run and it’s good to get one on the board.
“Tonight, when I sit down it will kick in when I get the messages from my family. Watching this race as a child and now this – it’s surreal. I’m pretty grateful to Mark and his team.”
With his fourth win from eight starts, My Wish gave Ferraris and Newnham their most important success in Hong Kong and the first leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series, which continues with the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) on March 2 and the Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on March 23.
Newnham was elated to have overcome My Wish’s appetite and temperament issues as the smallest horse in the field held sway.
“His appetite’s improved, so as he’s raced on through the season, he’s toughened up a little bit. We all know he’s only a small horse, but gee he’s got a big heart,” the trainer said. “The horse is very game, Luke’s done a great job with him and my team at home has done a super job because when he first arrived, he was a high-energy horse and wasn’t easy to handle.
“He has been troublesome at times, but today he paraded better than he ever has, he went to the start nice and settled and once he got into that position, it was just a matter of whether he was going to be good enough or not.
“The way he raced today and the position he put himself in and the way he settled, I think he’ll give himself every chance [over 1800 metres]. If he learns to settle and conserve his energy, he’s going to be hard to beat. It’s pretty special.”
Ferraris climbed into fourth place in the jockeys’ championship with 24 wins after slotting a treble, having also prevailed on the David Eustace-trained Master Phoenix (Divine Prophet) in the first section of the Class 4 Fat Choi Handicap (1200m) and Mid Winter Wind (What A Winter), who made a stunning Hong Kong debut for Newnham in the Class 3 Yue Yee Handicap (1200m).
Hugh Bowman starred with a quartet, firing in a remarkable four winners in a row – David Hall’s Sunstrider (Highland Reel) in the Class 4 Good Fortune Handicap (1600m), Chancheng Glory (Mor Spirit) for Lui in the Centenary Vase Handicap (Gr 3, 1800m), Brilliant Express (Starspangledbanner) for John Size in the Class 4 Prosperity Handicap (1400m) and Green N White (Smart Missile) in the Class 2 Chinese New Year Cup Handicap (1400m) for Ricky Yiu.
“I had good rides on paper and it’s all worked out. I’ve had good running positions and when it hasn’t worked out for me early, it’s worked out late for me in races,” Bowman said. “All my rides have shown they were capable and it’s nice for it all to happen in one day.”
Narrowly denied in the Hong Kong Classic Mile, Lui struck with Hong Kong Derby (2000m) prospect Packing Angel (Shocking) under Zac Purton in the Class 3 Kut Cheong Handicap (1400m).
Jamie Richards successfully unveiled talented newcomer Yee Cheong Glory (Puissance de Lune) in the second section of the Class 4 Fat Choi Handicap (1200m). Ridden by Purton, the gelding was a trial winner in Adelaide before export to Hong Kong and could easily have won by more than his two and quarter length margin.
Ben Thompson’s adventurous decision to keep New Future Folks (Savabeel) wide from barrier 13 in the long run to the first turn paid off handsomely when Michael Chang’s charge crossed smoothly to the fence and was never headed to land the Class 3 Red Packet Handicap (1600m).
Dennis Yip and Matthew Chadwick claimed the first win on Chinese New Year Raceday with Ho Ho Star’s (Time Test) narrow victory in the Class 5 Kung Hei Handicap (1200m).
“I’m happy. The first winner of the Chinese New Year is lucky, of course,” Yip said.