Breakthrough Group 1 success is in the sights of My Wish as last year’s Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) hero bids to step up to the elite level in the HK$36 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) on Sunday (14 December).

The standout talent from last year’s Four-Year-Old Classic Series, which included two agonising defeats in the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) and BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m), My Wish proved he had claims for being Hong Kong’s next star miler with a promising fourth in the G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) in April.

Two victories at the beginning of this campaign in the G3 Celebration Cup Handicap (1400m) and G2 Sha Tin Trophy Handicap (1600m) underlined that impression, and his trainer, Mark Newnham, insists there were legitimate excuses for his fourth-place finish in the G2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (1600m) under regular rider Luke Ferraris last month.

“He brought about his own undoing in the Jockey Club Mile,” the trainer said in a press conference held at Sha Tin Racecourse on Thursday (11 December). “He was too fresh, too keen, and going five weeks in between runs isn’t ideal for him. His peak performances are after three weeks.

“Even though he’d had a good, solid trial and brilliant work, he was just a bit above himself and you could see that going into the barriers. Luke held on to him as long as he could, but he couldn’t put the two lengths on them as he had done in his first two runs this season. On a very solid tempo, he pulled, and that’s not usual for him, so it just goes to show he was above himself.

“He was beaten a length, so he didn’t run badly, but he didn’t run up to expectations as a 1.4 favourite.”

Newnham is confident My Wish can build on the promise he showed earlier this season against a glittering international field on Sunday, with the gelding making a pleasing transition from four to five years old.

He said: “It was important that he got away to a good start this season because he needed to lift his way to get into these races – we had him ready and he delivered, and I think he’s improved quite a bit.

“His four-year-old form is pretty solid and I elected to give him a break after the Champions Mile as he had a busy year. I think that did him the world of good and gave him a bit of time to mature and strengthen up, and I think we’re seeing the benefit of that now.

“He’s done really well. He’s in good condition, he’ll do a bit more again tomorrow and that’s his usual lead-up to a race. His first two wins of the season he had his final gallop on a Friday.”

My Wish drew barrier two in the 14-horse LONGINES Hong Kong Mile field.

Sunday’s (14 December) 10-race fixture at Sha Tin starts at 12.25pm with the Class 4 Fairy King Prawn Handicap (1400m).