Would TABNZ have spent money like Entain?

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No deal: I Wish I Win camp not interested in Giga Kick showdown

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 01: Luke Nolen riding I Wish I Win wins Race 7 Furphy T J Smith Stakes in “The Star Championships Day 1” during Sydney Racing at Royal Randwick Racecourse on April 01, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images) (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)

By Trenton Akers
09:03am • 31 August 2023

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A mooted match race between Australia's two best sprinters is all but over before it gets off the ground.

Connections of I Wish I Win saying they are not prepared to jeopardise their campaign for The Everest for $500,000.

Waikato Stud boss Mark Chittick told Racenet he informed organisers on Thursday that he was not keen on the idea, which was floated on Wednesday night as a race at Cranbourne towards the end of September under lights against last year's Everest winner Giga Kick.

Wagering giants Entain, in partnership with the Cranbourne Turf Club came up with the concept and approached connections of both horses on Wednesday.

"I gave them the ‘definitely not' this morning, if it was a few million we could think about it," Chittick said.

"We just aren't interested at $500,000 a couple of weeks before The Everest at $20m — that is the main aim.

"I don't know who came up with the idea but we wouldn't be stepping out for $500,000, when we are stepping out for $20m after it."

Giga Kick resumes next Saturday in the McEwen Stakes at The Valley.

So bad were I Wish I Win's legs when he was a foal, he was once compared to Forrest Gump, as they pointed at right angles.

I Wish I Win won't compete in a match race against Giga Kick. Picture: Jeremy Ng—Getty Images.

Chittick knew he would never make the sales so elected to race him himself after a series of natural remedies to get him right.

Wearing the Waikato colours, I Wish I Win has beaten the odds at every turn in his career and has established himself as one of Australia's best sprinters after winning the Group 1 TJ Smith in the autumn.

Chittick will make the trip to Melbourne to watch his superstar on Saturday in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes, as he begins his trek to The Everest.

"He is all good, we are going to go over and watch him, we were over there doing some stuff for (Everest slot holders) Entain three or four weeks ago," he said.

He is a $3.60 favourite for the race, ahead of Mr Brightside at $4.20.

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