I Wish I Win giving Katherine Coleman an ‘awesome feeling’ for the Group 1 Manikato Stakes

Katherine Coleman says I Wish I Win saves his best for race day and expects more of the same in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes on Friday night.

The best seat outside of the MCG this weekend is aboard Australia’s best sprinter I Wish I Win on Friday night in the $2m Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at The Valley.

Trainer Katherine Coleman is one of the lucky few to ride the multiple Group 1 winner but also be entrusted to “press the turbo button”.

Coleman rides a lot of the work on “Wish”, including fast gallops in the lead up to race day.

“I let Luke (Nolen) sit on him every now and then but otherwise he’s always on my list,” Coleman laughed.

“He’s a beautiful horse to ride, he’s pretty easy, I know him better than the back of my hand these days as well, so pretty special to have that connection with him.

I Wish I Win tues17th pic.twitter.com/1O7LAui1YT

— Peter Moody (@moodyracingpgm) September 16, 2024

“He’s a pretty unique horse in that most days he just cruises around like an old pony, he’s so relaxed but he’s very smart.

“He knows as soon as you get on the grass track you’re going to have a good gallop and he switches right on, he can actually become quite strong.

“When you do get to press the turbo button it’s pretty amazing, he’s got an electric turn of foot, it’s a pretty awesome feeling.”

Coleman has appreciated the chance to work with a horse like I Wish I Win and get a taste of the “Ferrari” experience, reserved predominantly for race day jockey Nolen.

Nolen has won four of 10 starts on I Wish I Win, including the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes last year and Kingsford Smith Cup in June.

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“He’s very much a race day horse,” Coleman said.

“He’s ultra-competitive so when he gets a feel of the horses out there alongside him he puts in 110 per cent.

“We’re not asking him to do that in his track gallops but he still does give you the feel of a Ferrari.”

I Wish I Win is $5.50 with Ladbrokes to win the Manikato Stakes on Friday night.

Growing Empire is $4.80 favourite from Hayasugi ($5.50) and Estriella ($6.50).

Moody-Coleman-trained Chain Of Lightning is a $26 chance on Friday night.

The TJ Smith Stakes winner would appreciate a rain-affected track.

I Wish I Win/Chain Of Lightning Tuesday 24th pic.twitter.com/8Ur6UCpDoh

— Peter Moody (@moodyracingpgm) September 23, 2024

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I Wish I Win caught the eye running fifth in the Group 1 Moir Stakes at The Valley first-up.

He has not missed a place second-up previously, including a win, five seconds and a third.

“He’s still got improvement to come with the view The Everest is the main target in three weeks’ time,” Coleman said.

“He should take good natural improvement through that run (in the Moir), I think if he gets his chance he’ll be very close on Friday night.”

Originally published as I Wish I Win giving Katherine Coleman an ‘awesome feeling’ for the Group 1 Manikato Stakes