MY WISH CAN MAKE NEWNHAM'S DREAM COME TRUE

By Tim Clayton | Thursday, December 11, 2025

Australian trainer Mark Newnham is hoping Sunday at Sha Tin is the day his long-awaited Hong Kong Group 1 breakthrough … and he is putting his faith in a horse perfectly named for the occasion - My Wish.

Since moving to Hong Kong, Newnham has been one of the circuit’s quiet achievers, banking 31 wins in his debut 23/24 season and backing it up with 44 last terms, but that elusive Hong Kong Group 1 remained just out of reach.

The LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) on Sunday offers his best chance yet. My Wish will be ridden by Luke Ferraris.

Speaking at Thursday’s HKIR press conference at Sha Tin, the Australian was upfront about the gelding’s last run in the Jockey Club Mile. “He brought about his own undoing in the Jockey Club Mile. He was too fresh, too keen — five weeks between runs is not ideal for him. His peak is always around the three-week mark,” Newnham said.

“My Wish’s energy was obvious from the moment he stepped into the barriers. Even though he had a good trial and brilliant work, he was a bit above himself.

"Luke held on as long as he could, but he just could not put the two lengths on them like he did earlier this season. He pulled on a solid tempo, very unlike him and it showed where he was at.”

Still, My Wish was only beaten a length.

“He did not run badly — he just did not run to the level of a $1.4 favourite.”

Newnham has always believed this season could be the gelding’s breakout season, and his early season wins were crucial in getting rating points to get into this feature race.

“His four-year-old form is solid and giving him a break after the Champions Mile did him the world of good. He has matured, strengthened, and we are seeing it now.”
As for his condition heading into HKIR week?

“He has done well. He is in great nick,” confirmed Newnham. “He will do a bit more tomorrow — that is his usual lead-up. His first two wins this season came off a Friday gallop.”

So, will Newnham’s first Hong Kong Group 1 wish come true on Sunday?

With My Wish primed, the Aussie trainer might just be about to turn hope into history in a race where the Hong Kong local horses have dominated since 2016.

More articles