Twenty years after his father David tasted Longines Hong Kong International Races success with Vengeance Of Rain, Luke Ferraris is dreaming of etching his name onto the honour roll with My Wish.

While Vengeance Of Rain won the Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m), My Wish will tackle this weekend’s Group One Hong Kong Mile after a superb start to the Hong Kong season.

“These are the races everyone wants to win and if you win one, it puts your name up there with some of the best,” said Luke Ferraris.

“It would be really special – a massive dream come true. Everything you work towards in your career is for days like these.

“There’s so much work that goes into it and it’s such a huge preparation, so to get a result would mean the world, not only to me but the whole family. It would sort of be a full circle moment. I’m really excited for it.”

While Ferraris has ridden on international day once before, he admits it’s a different kettle of fish being associated with a leading contender compared to the build-up when he partnered $122 chance Ka Ying Star in the 2022 Hong Kong Cup, where he finished eighth.

“It’s a different feeling when you’re a contender. It obviously makes it more exciting,” said the 23-year-old.

After a pair of Group successes to begin the campaign, My Wish could only manage fourth in the traditional Hong Kong Mile lead-up – the Group Two Jockey Club Mile on November 23 – however, Ferraris is hopeful the shorter gap between races will work in his mount’s favour this Sunday.

“Three weeks between runs seems to be his sweet spot – the five weeks between runs [before the Jockey Club Mile] was probably a bit too long. Hopefully the edge is off him. He shouldn’t over-race in this race regardless of what pace they go,” he said.

“His gallop this morning was good and he’ll have another one on Friday. It will be interesting to see what the draws are but he’s a versatile horse. I’m looking forward to it.”

Joining My Wish at the pointy end of the Hong Kong Mile market are defending champion Voyage Bubble and Jockey Club Mile winner Galaxy Patch, as well as Japanese duo Soul Rush and Embroidery.

Disappointing over a mile first up this season, Voyage Bubble now steps back to eight furlongs from 2,000m after a last-start second behind Romantic Warrior in the Jockey Club Cup.

Soul Rush also has Romantic Warrior form after downing the champ by the narrowest of margins in April’s Group One Dubai Turf (1,800m).

“Voyage Bubble perhaps hasn’t had the most ideal prep coming into this race. Soul Rush is obviously a danger – he’s beaten Romantic Warrior before so that’s a big feather in his cap. But our guy is genuine and just about every time he turns up and runs a good race,” said Ferraris.