Jockey Jamie Melham says I Wish I Win ‘good enough to beat’ Mr Brightside in 2025 Futurity Stakes at Caulfield

Star jockey Jamie Melham has utmost respect for Mr Brightside but also the horsepower to conquer the champion twice in as many Group 1 starts.

Star jockey Jamie Melham has utmost respect for Mr Brightside but also the horsepower to conquer the champion for a second time in as many Group 1 starts.

Melham, who rode All-Star Mile-bound Another Wil to victory over Mr Brightside in the CF Orr Stakes, has issued a glowing appraisal of Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) second favourite I Wish I Win.

“We did it the other day, we might be able to do it again,” Melham grinned.

“I might not get many rides from Hayes if I beat him again.

“First up is the day to beat Brightside but I’m on a pretty classy horse and a horse good enough to beat him.”

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Track conditions could decide whether I Wish I Win lines up in the Futurity, with trainers Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman mindful of racing on anything firmer than a Good 4.

Mr Brightside is $2 favourite for the Futurity from I Wish I Win ($4.20), Tom Kitten ($10) and Pericles ($11).

Pericles finished second behind Mr Brightside in the 1400m Group 1 at Caulfield last year.

I Wish I Win has raced against Mr Brightside once before – placed third, beaten ½ length in the 2023 Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m).

Melham has been reunited on I Wish I Win with regular rider Luke Nolen on the comeback trail from injury.

Melham rode New Zealand-bred I Wish I Win to victory at his first Australian start in 2022.

The 16-time Group 1-winner Melham has pulled up with sore arms after riding I Wish I Win in recent jumpouts and track gallops.

I Wish I Win (blue) won a Pakenham jumpout this morning as he prepares for a return to the races 😍@[e-mail]/5Jjfxz2jLs

— Racing.com (@Racing) February 10, 2025

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“The first jumpout I said to Moody when I got off, ‘I’ve jumped out some pretty classy horses in my life but that was just insane’, I couldn’t go any slower,” Melham said.

“I’m feeling like he’s going the best he can. I’ve had sore arms every time I’ve ridden him.

“I couldn’t hold him the first jumpout, the second jumpout at least I got to let him off the bit a little and Tuesday I could barely hold him in his gallop.”

Melham said I Wish I Win “absolutely” had the fitness to run out a strong 1400m first-up.

“I’m more than confident in him because I couldn’t stop him the other day,” Melham said.

“I could barely pull him up, it took me half the track to pull him up.

“Definitely his fitness seems 100 per cent, but mainly his action (stride) is just fantastic.”

Melham has six rides on Saturday including Cherish Me in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) and Arabian Summer in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m).

Originally published as Jockey Jamie Melham says I Wish I Win ‘good enough to beat’ Mr Brightside in 2025 Futurity Stakes at Caulfield