I Wish I Win draws wide

I Wish I Win will start from barrier 14 of 16 at Flemington on Saturday in his quest to become the first favourite in a decade to win the Newmarket Handicap.

Recent Newmarket favourites have failed to perform to market expectations, with the past three finishing unplaced - Lost And Running (14th at $4.40 in 2022), September Run (10th at $2.80 in 2021) and Exceedance (sixth at $3.30 in 2020).

There have been three odds-on winners of the Newmarket Handicap in the past 30 years - Alinghi (2005), Weekend Hussler (2008) and Black Caviar (2011) - but the shortest-priced winner at odds against in the period was General Nediym (1998) as $3.50 favourite for Bill Mitchell.

Trained by Peter Moody, who was acting as Mitchell's stable foreman when General Nediym succeeded, I Wish I Win is anticipated to start at approximately the same quote.

I Wish I Win's market rival is three-year-old filly In Secret, Godolphin's Coolmore Stud Stakes winner who will jump from barrier eight carrying 5kg less.

In Secret is aiming to join Sunlight (2019) and Alinghi (2005) in completing the Coolmore and Newmarket double in the same season while also seeking to become the fifth three-year-old filly in the past 25 years to win the Newmarket.

Private Eye (barrier two) and Mazu (barrier 16) will both resume in the Newmarket as they attempt to join Redkirk Warrior in winning the race first up.

Roch 'N' Horse won last year's Newmarket with 56 days between runs, just four days shy of being formally recognised as a spell.

The six-year-old Per Incanto mare will jump from barrier three on Saturday in her quest to become the sixth dual Newmarket winner in the 150th running of the race.