Wish return still undecided

[Wandering Eyes]

Two-time Group One winner I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel) is going into the autumn with revived vigour and back-to-back jumpout wins.

But co-trainer Peter Moody admits he still hasn’t locked in a first-up run for the star galloper.

Speaking after the son of Savabeel’s 1000-metre jumpout win at Pakenham on Tuesday morning, Moody said the Gr.1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) on February 22 is the most likely kick-off point, but still not a certainty.

“He’s had two jumpouts and he’s looked super in them,” he said.

“He looked to do it nicely, Jamie Melham rode him and she was happy with his action.

“He was good in the wind, he won the trial softly and looked to have a little blow.

“Really pleased where he’s at, he looks to be enjoying life.

“Futurity first option but not set in concrete.”

While the shape of his autumn campaign is still undecided, Moody says one thing is for certain.

“I won’t be presenting him on a Good 3 anywhere,” he said.

“He’s an older horse. We know he’s a little bit jarry in the knees, he always has been, that’s a part of his physical confirmation.

“I wouldn’t hesitate to withdraw him, it wouldn’t matter what race it is, if the track does firm up.”

This time two years ago, the versatile galloper recorded a narrow second placing in the Gr.1 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) before going on to take out the Gr.1 T.J. Smith Stakes (1200m) later that autumn.

Having also won a Golden Eagle (1500m) previously and run well at a mile, Moody says he’ll once again be open-minded when mapping out the gelding’s upcoming preparation.

“I actually nominated him this morning for the T.J. Smith, the Doncaster Handicap and the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

“So a 1200-metre, 1600-metre and 2000-metre Group 1, so that shows you how much I’m open-minded to where we might go, where we might resume and what type of races he might run in.

“I think it’s a great thing, we’ve got one of the world’s top-rated sprinters and he’s got terrific form around the mile.

“At the moment though we’re just worried about getting him back to the races and performing.

“He hasn’t lost any of his want at this point, he seems a really happy horse and hopefully he can take that to the races.”

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