by I Wish I Win is poised to produce the best sprint performance of his career and avenge a hapless defeat in the same race 12 months ago when he takes on the $20 million The TAB Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
This is the opinion of form genius Gary Crispe, who has chosen I Wish I Win as the horse to beat in The Everest based on his exclusive Timeform reviews.
“I Wish I Win is perfectly placed,” Crispe explained.
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“Last year in Everest he was beaten by an inside barrier when he was held up on a straight run, but this time he has pulled back (barrier nine), which I think suits him.”
“He shouldn’t have any problems during the race and will find free galloping space on the straight.”
“He has a great third-place record, the blinders are back and everything points to him being ready to give his best.”
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Crispe said I Wish I Win, who has a high Timeform rating of 126, would improve significantly in his two comeback runs at The Valley this spring and come close to that peak at Everest.
“If he achieves his best rating, it should be enough to win Everest, or at least he will definitely finish,” Crispe said.
Crispe had the Chris Waller-trained Joliestar as the main threat for Everest.
Joliestar performed moderately in the Sheraco Stakes when third behind Sunshine In Paris, but Crispe said if the mare could repeat her first Show County Quality victory she would make a race of it with I Wish I Win.
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“Her first win over the Everest course and distance was huge,” Crispe said. “She wants to do the right run (barrier four) and will run very well.”
Bella Nipotina broke the outer barrier in the 12-horse field, but Crispe claimed the mare was still in the race.
“There hasn’t been much between Bella Nipotina and I Wish I Win in their last matchups,” Crispe said.
“Her wide barrier is a bit concerning, but a bit like I Wish I Win, I can imagine her coming out and finishing strong.”
Crispe felt that Growing Empire was the best of the three-year-old stallions and rated the in-form mare Sunshine In Paris as a value runner of the Everest.
