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I Wish I Win popular top pick in $10m Everest Mega Millions

17 October 2024

He’s the horse chasing redemption and several prominent Kiwi racing fans are backing I Wish I Win to do exactly that in the A$20 million The Everest at Randwick in Sydney on Saturday.

I Wish I Win finished 2nd in last year’s running of The Everest and is back again to chase down the winning prize for slot holders Trackside Media (operated by Entain Australia and New Zealand), breeders Waikato Stud, and co-owner Mark Chittick, who races the star sprinter with co-trainer Peter Moody.

Entries opened for the $10m Everest Mega Millions yesterday (16 October), with the $10m prize on offer if any TAB customer can correctly pick the finishing order of The Everest.

Six Kiwi racing lovers have put forward their Mega Millions selections, and I Wish I Win is the one that three of them are sure will win the 1200-metre race, with SENZ personalities Stephen Donald, Scotty Stevenson and Izzy Dagg all deciding I Wish I Win will prevail shortly after 6.15pm on Saturday.

There’s plenty of support for the fellow Kiwi runner Joliestar as well, who takes her place in the race for owners Cambridge Stud, with Auckland Thoroughbred Racing ambassador Carena West, Alternative Commentary Collective’s Mike Lane and Trackside’s Emily Murphy all finding Joliestar on top.

The $10 million pool was claimed last year by a TAB customer in Auckland who correctly placed all 12 runners in order, with more than 440 million possible different finishing combinations. Each customer can place one entry through tab.co.nz/everest-mega-millions.

Cameron Rodger, Managing Director – New Zealand, of Entain Australia and New Zealand – the operators of TAB – is prepared for any eventuality after last year’s against-the-odds Mega Millions win.

“I’ll certainly be cheering on ‘Wish’ as the field thunders down the Randwick straight, but if my phone rings shortly after the race, I expect my heart will skip a few beats,” Rodger said.

Fans of I Wish I Win can back him not only in the Everest Mega Millions, but also with a worry-free Fixed Odds Win bet on “Wish”. If he doesn’t win, punters can get up to $50 back in Bonus Cash.

“It doesn’t matter if he finishes second or back in the field, we’re giving customers a “free swing” at backing I Wish I Win, safe in the knowledge that they’ll either give me a headache or get Bonus Cash back.”

Early interest in the betting market is split between Joliestar - who is ridden by star Kiwi jockey James McDonald, and trained by expat New Zealand trainer Chris Waller – and I Wish I Win, with Joliestar at $6 to win and I Wish I Win at $6.50, as of 2.45pm, 17 October.

Further information & links:

  • Six Everest Mega Millions selections are attached from:
    • Carena West, Auckland Thoroughbred Racing Ambassador
    • Israel Dagg, SENZ Breakfast host
    • Scotty Stevenson, SENZ Breakfast host
    • Mike Lane, Alternative Commentary Collective
    • Emily Murphy, Trackside presenter
    • Stephen Donald, SENZ Afternoons host

17 October 2024