Peter Moody is set to use the Gr.1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) as the one lead-up run to The Everest for his stable star I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel).
The T.J. Smith Stakes winner was given his second jumpout of the preparation at Pakenham on Tuesday morning, with his trainer and jockey Luke Nolen ‘more than pleased’ with his efforts to win the 1000-metre course-proper heat.
I Wish I Win ran a flashing second first-up at his previous preparation over 1000m in the Black Caviar Lightning and didn’t race beyond 1200m in a three-run campaign.
“I am probably leaning towards running him at Caulfield in the Memsie,” Moody explained.
“I just don’t see any sense belting this horse around Moonee Valley over 1000 metres, that will just drive him mad and do his head in.
“If the opportunity was there down the straight like last time in the Lightning, we’d probably look at it.
“But my experience tells me he doesn’t have to be as wound up for a race like the Memsie as he would a Carlyon Stakes or the like.
“I would expect him to go to a Memsie and be very competitive.”
Moody suggested it is unlikely that the son of Savabeel will race between the Memsie Stakes on September 2, where he is the $3.20 favourite, and The Everest on October 14.
“I think he probably doesn’t run in between and probably has another trial,” Moody said of his plan.
“He is a horse who thrives on that 21-day break and there is not a race for him at all anywhere in Australia 21 days before The Everest.
“There’s the Premier two weeks before and races down here two weeks before, but there’s not a race for him three weeks before anywhere.”
Moody said I Wish I Win will likely jump out at Pakenham or travel for an exhibition gallop between races.
