Trackside Media take Everest slot and enlist I Wish I Win
The boost received to New Zealand racing from May’s lucrative TAB deal with Entain has enabled the Kiwis to afford a seat at the top table for Sydney’s $20 million The Everest (1200m) in October, as Trackside Media yesterday became the latest slotholder for the rich sprint.
Trackside Media, which is owned by the New Zealand TAB, has purchased the slot held by Inglis, and immediately secured the leading New Zealand-bred sprinter I Wish I Win (Savabeel), winner of the TJ Smith Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) in April, to represent them back at Randwick.
TAB and Entain, the owner of Ladbrokes and Neds among other betting providers, struck a 25-year deal in May which committed to investing $900 million into the New Zealand racing industry over the next five years.
On the surprise acquisition of a slot for The Everest, for which Racing NSW announced last month would scale $20 million in prize-money, making it the second richest race in the world, TAB New Zealand’s managing director Cameron Rodger hoped to galvanise a nation behind the Waikato Stud-homebred I Wish I Win.
“We have watched the growth of The Everest for a number of years, however wagering performance and engagement in the race has remained under-indexed,” Rodger said.
“In what we hope will be the first year of many being involved in The Everest, we look forward to working closely with Racing NSW to get all Kiwis engaged in The Everest to cheer on one of our very own in I Wish I Win.
“To have the chance to not only be a part of it, but to go across with a New Zealand-bred superstar in I Wish I Win, and with a legitimate chance to win, is an absolute thrill for all the team at Entain.”
After the Peter Moody-trained I Wish I Win’s half-length win over last year’s Everest scorer Giga Kick (Scissor Kick) in the TJ Smith on April 1, the gelding topped the Longines World’s Best Racehorse rankings with a rating of 121.
The son of Waikato Stud’s Savabeel (Zabeel) made rapid progress last spring, a campaign which concluded with victory in Racing NSW’s other lucrative ‘pop up’ race, the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m), as he soared down the centre of the track to beat Fangirl (Sebring) by a nose.
Placings in the Lightning Stakes (Gr 1, 1000m) and Newmarket Handicap (Gr 1, 1200m) in the autumn preceded a breakthrough Group 1 success in the TJ Smith Stakes for I Wish I Win, who, according to Waikato Stud’s Mark Chittick, had attracted significant interest from slotholders.
The rising five-year-old is the $5 second favourite behind Giga Kick to win this year’s The Everest.
“When we found out a Kiwi company had secured a slot in this year’s race it became a very easy decision,” Chittick said.
“I Wish I Win has been a dream horse for us … securing a spot to race for $20 million is a pinch yourself moment.
“We really hope that by partnering with Trackside, we can bring New Zealand on this journey with us. It is also an opportunity to celebrate the NZ breeding industry which time and again shows it punches above its weight.”
Victoria-based trainer Moody, who is yet to have a runner in The Everest in its five-year history, expressed his delight at having the opportunity to be part of the showpiece event at Randwick on October 14.
“It’s the first time I’ve had a horse good enough to have a crack at The Everest,” Moody said.
“It will allow us to really tailor his preparation down to the minute.”
I Wish I Win joins Mazu (Maurice) (Arrowfield slot), who finished third in the race last year, 2022 champion Giga Kick for James Harron and Stradbroke Handicap (Gr 1, 1400m) winner Think About It (So You Think), who will represent Newgate, as confirmed runners for The Everest.