South African Luke Ferraris delivered a career-defining victory aboard My Wish in the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin on Friday (January 31), securing a first Hong Kong triumph in the Four-Year-Old Classic Series for trainer Mark Newnham. The moment was especially poignant for Ferraris, who recalled Sweet Orange’s victory in the same race in 2012—a standout memory from his childhood when his father, David Ferraris, trained the winner.

At just 23 years old, Ferraris added his name to the Classic Mile honor roll alongside his father, executing a flawless ride to hold off Francis Lui’s fast-finishing pair Divano (Blake Shinn) and Parking Hermod (Zac Purton), stopping the clock at 1m 33.98s.

Breaking cleanly from barrier eight, Ferraris positioned the Flying Artie gelding in fourth, one off the rail. As the field approached the home turn, he angled into clear running and dug deep to repel a charging Divano, who stormed home from last with a race-best final sectional of 21.98s.

Reflecting on the performance, Ferraris drew parallels to Sweet Orange’s success under Weichong Marwing.

“I remember that race like it was yesterday,” he said. “Weichong was caught three-wide without cover, loomed up at the bend, and fought off Fay Fay at the furlong. Today, when My Wish had to dig in at the same point, it felt like history repeating itself.”

Despite his small stature, My Wish showcased immense determination to claim his fourth win in eight starts, handing Ferraris and Newnham their most significant success in Hong Kong. The victory also secured the first leg of the HK$52 million Four-Year-Old Classic Series, which continues with the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) on March 2 and the HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on March 23.

Newnham: "A Small Horse with a Huge Heart"

Trainer Mark Newnham was thrilled with My Wish’s progression, crediting his team for overcoming the gelding’s early challenges with appetite and temperament.

“He’s a tough little horse,” Newnham said. “When he first arrived, he was high-energy and difficult to handle, but he’s improved with every run. The way he settled today, he gave himself every chance. If he continues to relax, he’ll be a real contender over 1800m.”

Ferraris Climbs the Rankings with Treble

Ferraris’ Classic Mile win was part of a memorable treble, boosting him to fourth in the jockeys' championship with 24 wins. His other victories came aboard Master Phoenix (trained by David Eustace) in the Class 4 Fat Choi Handicap (1200m) and Mid Winter Wind, who impressed on his Hong Kong debut for Newnham in the Class 3 Yue Yee Handicap (1200m), earning a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million.

Hugh Bowman stole the spotlight with an extraordinary four-win haul, saluting aboard:

Sunstrider (David Hall) – Class 4 Good Fortune Handicap (1600m)

Chancheng Glory (Francis Lui) – G3 Centenary Vase Handicap (1800m)

Brilliant Express (John Size) – Class 4 Prosperity Handicap (1400m)

Green N White (Ricky Yiu) – Class 2 Chinese New Year Cup Handicap (1400m)

“I had good rides, and things fell into place,” Bowman said. “Some races worked out early, others late, but everything came together today.”

Other Highlights from Chinese New Year Raceday

Despite coming up just short in the Classic Mile, Francis Lui still celebrated success with Packing Angel, a BMW Hong Kong Derby hopeful, who took the Class 3 Kut Cheong Handicap (1400m) under Zac Purton.

Trainer Jamie Richards also unveiled Yee Cheong Glory, a promising newcomer who dominated the Class 4 Fat Choi Handicap (1200m) under Purton. The Puissance de Lune gelding, a trial winner in Adelaide, cruised home by 2¼ lengths on his Hong Kong debut.

Meanwhile, Ben Thompson’s bold tactics aboard New Future Folks paid off in the Class 3 Red Packet Handicap (1600m). Jumping from barrier 13, he stayed wide in the early stages before crossing smoothly to the rail and leading all the way for trainer Michael Chang. The win kept New Future Folks in contention for the Hong Kong Classic Cup, while also earning a HK$1 million ISG Bonus.

The afternoon began with trainer Dennis Yip and jockey Matthew Chadwick combining for victory in the Class 5 Kung Hei Handicap (1200m) with Ho Ho Star, marking the first win of Chinese New Year Raceday.

“The first winner of the new year is always lucky,” Yip said.