Mark Newnham will launch a two-pronged attack on the HK$24 million G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) on Sunday, 26 April, believing both his runners, My Wish and Invincible Ibis, will run well and that there is little to separate the two.
Invincible Ibis will bid for a BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) and FWD Champions Mile double, while My Wish will chase a breakthrough Group 1 win after a string of fine efforts in top-level races.
Newnham said: “The preparations of Invincible Ibis and My Wish are very smooth and they are both well prepared for the big race on Sunday. Invincible Ibis has to step back in trip to a mile from 2000m, but his form over a mile is good.
“His biggest challenge this weekend is the seasoned horses. In the Derby, the ratings of runners were between mid-70 to 100, but in the Champions Mile all the runners carry ratings of over 100.
“Invincible Ibis has improved all the way throughout this season and he will run well on Sunday. But how well? We can only wait and see on Sunday afternoon,” Newnham added.
Meanwhile, Newnham has high hopes for My Wish, runner-up in last year’s BMW Hong Kong Derby, and a horse reaching his peak on Sunday.
“My Wish is training well and he will finish the race strongly in the Champions Mile. He is such a consistent runner that anytime you run him he will be going well. Hugh (Bowman) worked him last Saturday (18 April) and the feedback from him is very positive. The horse is good as ever,” Newnham said.
“He is in really good condition and should have enough talent to be competitive in Sunday’s race,” he added.
Newnham pointed out that, on raw ability, there is not much difference between Invincible Ibis and My Wish. However, as a five-year-old, My Wish has the edge in big-race experience.
He said: “The progress of Invincible Ibis is similar to that of My Wish, at the same stage last year. Their form lines are similar too.”
My Wish finished fourth in the FWD Champions Mile after being narrowly beaten by Cap Ferrat in the 2025 BMW Hong Kong Derby.
“My Wish has an extra season of training, and I hope he can go up another level. He performed well last time, just beaten by a Group 1 winner, while Invincible Ibis has to jump from the Derby, but as long as he is trouble-free in the race he should run well. The Sunday race is the one that’s not easy to win, we need everything to go right for us.”
Newnham is glad he has secured the services of the two top jockeys – Hugh Bowman on My Wish and James McDonald on Invincible Ibis.
“Anytime you’ve got James (McDonald) is a bonus. He is a fabulous jockey, who just broke the most Group 1 wins record in Australia, while Hugh is a world’s best jockey too,” he said. “Both of our horses are not difficult to ride and I’m sure they will get the job done.
“It’s a great day for the stable as both will have a realistic chance,” Newnham said.
