Spelling paddock beckons I Wish I Win after disappointing Everest

Waikato Stud’s star sprinter I Wish I Win will head to the spelling paddock following his uncustomary subpar performance when finishing at the tail end of the field in Saturday’s A$20 million The Everest (1200m) at Randwick.

The son of Savabeel was among the favoured runners in Saturday’s rich feature, where he filled the slot of Trackside Media, but he failed to fire and weakened to finish last of the 11 runners.

While disappointed with his gelding’s effort, part-owner and co-trainer Peter Moody said he has returned to his Pakenham barn in good order and will head for a spell in preparation for an autumn preparation.

“He was very disappointing in The Everest on Saturday, but he has pulled up well,” said Moody, who trains in partnership with Katherine Coleman.

“We x-rayed both knees, fetlocks and feet this morning and I am pleased to say there were no changes of any note.

“We have pulled a blood off him and are awaiting results, but after consultation with my partner, Mark Chittick (Waikato Stud principal), we have made a decision where we will spell I Wish I Win and we will give him a preparation heading into the autumn.

“If he tells us he still wants to be there, we will push on and give him an autumn-winter preparation next year. If he suggests to us at any stage along the way that he has come to the end of his racing career, we wouldn’t hesitate to retire him because he has done such a wonderful job for us.”

Bred by Waikato Stud, I Wish I Win has won seven of his 24 starts, including victories in the Gr.1 Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m), Gr.1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m), A$10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) and Listed Testa Rossa Stakes (1300m).

Photo: Mark Metcalfe Photography