I Wish I Win will plot a unique path to The Everest, starting with this Saturday’s Memsie Stakes, and Katherine Coleman said the $750,000 event had come at a good time for the gelding.
The 1400-metre weight-for-age Group 1 could be the five-year-old’s only start before the $20 million The Everest on October 14 and Coleman, who trains in partnership with Peter Moody, said I Wish I Win had started to hint he is ready to return to competition.
“He’s such a laid-back customer but even over the last week I can tell the difference in him,” Coleman said.
“He’s starting to have a play and a bit of a squeal here and there and feeling pretty happy in himself, so he’s ready to get back to the races.
“Getting back to the races, I think it will bring him on a lot. Just the trip away from home and getting back out there I think will do him the world of good.”
I Wish I Win has not raced since his last-to-first win in the $3m Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) on April 1.
The son of Savabeel has had two Pakenham jumpouts in August, a low-key fourth placing over 800m on August 2 before a more serious 1000m hitout on August 15, which he won.
While he is ready to return to the races, Coleman said I Wish I Win has plenty of improvement to come, which could leave him susceptible in a Memsie Stakes that is likely to also include proven Group 1 performers Alligator Blood and Mr Brightside.
“He’s got a lot of improvement to come and you’ll see that in the mounting yard next week,” Coleman said.
“He’s still got a pretty wintery coat on him and he’s still carrying plenty of condition.
“He’s definitely not screwed down and it’s a hot race. Some of these horses are going to be a lot more forward than he is and obviously we’re not there to give him a gut-buster first-up.
“I think you’ll see him run well but with a heap of improvement to come.”
The 1200m The Everest could be I Wish I Win’s second-up run with a solid hitout in a jumpout or exhibition gallop three weeks out likely to round out his preparations.
