Cox Plate or Golden Eagle - Nice Dilemma!

Media Release - Wednesday September 28

Waikato Stud principal Mark Chittick has a fair bit to contemplate as spring racing heats up across the Tasman.

His exciting four-year-old I Wish I Win has made waves in Victoria since joining trainer Peter Moody’s Pakenham barn.

Mark Chittick is eyeing a Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) berth with exciting four-year-old I Wish I Win - image Grant Courtney

The son of Savabeel showed promise in New Zealand for his previous trainer Jamie Richards, for whom he won two and placed in six of his nine starts, including runner-up results in the Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m), Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m), Gr.3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m), Listed Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m), and Listed Mufhasa Stakes (1400m).

I Wish I Win has been an impressive winner of his two Australian outings under Moody’s care, including a one length victory over fellow Kiwi-bred Ayrton in the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes (1300m) at Sandown on Sunday.

Breeder-owner Chittick has been taken back by his reception from Australian punters, with bookmakers installing the rising star as a clear $2.40 favourite for the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday-week.

“We knew he had ability,” Chittick told SEN.

“Going into his four-year-old year, Moods and I had a bit of a yarn and made an agreement that we would give it (racing in Australia) a go.

“We regard racing in Australia as the best in the world and you have got so many opportunities over there. We thought we would take him over there and roll the dice.

“I didn’t think that his third run in Australia he would be going into a time-honoured race like the Toorak.”

While he is excited about the gelding’s immediate assignment, it is his next target that is giving the Waikato horseman a welcome headache.

Advertisement

The A$10 million prizemoney of the Golden Eagle (1500m) is acting as a big lure to head to Sydney, however, Chittick’s heart is telling him to remain in Melbourne to tackle the A$5 million Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m).

Chittick stands former Cox Plate winners Ocean Park and I Wish I Win’s sire Savabeel, and he would love to get his hands on the silverware in his own right.

“It is a hard one and a good problem to have. We stand two Cox Plate winners at Waikato Stud, and one of those being his father,” Chittick said.

“It has always been a dream for me to breed a Cox Plate winner let alone win it ourselves.

“When betting shops start talking about Cox Plates, it starts to get pretty exciting.

“There is something about that race. It is legendary. We are in it for the long game.

“It has all got to pay its way and if you had a chance in a race like the Golden Eagle it would certainly help to pay a few bills.

“But if I had to toss up either way I would probably lean towards the Cox Plate.” – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Impressive First Winner for St Marks Basilica
Coolmore shuttler St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) was the 2021 European Horse of the Year and the son of Siyouni is on the board as a sire with his first winner after Rogue Supremacy scored an impressive debut victory.
Wootton Bassett 2YOs on the March
Wootton Bassett’s star Northern Hemisphere two year-old Albert Einstein has been ruled out of Royal Ascot with a sprained joint that will require a few weeks off, but the red hot sire added two more talented debut winning juvenile colts at The Curragh overnight.
Almanzor Colt Wins G2 Italian Derby
Wootton Bassett sired the winner of the Group I Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) on Sunday in Camille Pissarro and then overnight his champion Cambridge Stud based son Almanzor (Fr) produced the winner of the Group II Derby Italiano (2200m).
$1500 Weanling Becomes $525,000 Top Lot at MM National Yearling Finale
A colt by Harry Angel set a new benchmark in Australia for his sire and topped the final day of the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale when selling for $525,000 to conclude a hugely successful two weeks of sales.
Blueblood Import - American-Bred Jillaroo Records First Win
Purchased at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale by Ciaron Maher, the now 4yo mare Jillaroo (USA) (Curlin) initially started her racing career in the United States but after an Australian debut second at Caulfield in early May, recorded her maiden victory at Doomben.
Sires With Winners - Monday June 2
Here is the full list of 40 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Frosty Girl impressive on debut
The Chris Waller-trained Frosty Girl made the perfect start to her career when coming from last to land the Asahi Super Dry Plate (1300m) on debut at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday June 3
Here is the full list of 30 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Written By Filly Dominates Warwick Farm Juvenile Contest
First seen at the two-year-old trials back in September, Marc Conners’ chestnut filly Penpel (Written By) produce a quality effort at just her second racetrack appearance, racing clear at Warwick Farm to score by more than three lengths.
Pride of Jenni to Visit I Am Invincible - Match Made in Heaven
Three-time Champion Sire I Am Invincible has been confirmed as the first mating for reigning Australian Champion Racehorse of the Year Pride Of Jenni, who will head to the breeding barn this season following a phenomenal racing career.