Chittick eyeing Cox Plate with I Wish I Win

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

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

The son of Savabeel showed promise in New Zealand for his previous trainer Jamie Richards, for whom he won two and finished runner-up in the G1 Levin Classic and the G1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce S.

I Wish I Win has been an impressive winner of his two Australian outings under Moody’s care and last time out claimed the Listed Testa Rossa S. at Sandown.

Breeder-owner Chittick has been taken aback by his reception from Australian punters, with bookmakers installing the rising star as a clear $2.40 favourite for the G1 Toorak H. at Caulfield on Saturday week.

“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,” Chittick told SEN.

“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.

The A$10 million prizemoney of the Golden Eagle 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 G1 Cox Plate.

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.

“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 toward the Cox Plate.”