Peter Moody knows he needs to have stable star I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel) rock-hard fit and ready to go ahead of a likely first-up defence of the Group 1 T.J. Smith Stakes (1200m) in Sydney.

The five-year-old came from last to win last year’s edition on testing heavy ground and Moody says his superstar galloper will be ready should similar conditions arise again this year.

“That early April period around Easter in Sydney can quite often present a bit of wet ground, which he handles, but I’m mindful that I want to have him pretty forward because I don’t want him going there – let’s hope it’s not the case for racing’s sake, but if you end up on a Heavy 10, you don’t want to drag the guts out of him,” Moody said.

I Wish I Win’s fitness took another step on Tuesday morning with an 800-metre jumpout at Pakenham. Will Price was in the saddle with Luke Nolen sidelined by injury and he gave the gelding a quiet time, running on to finish third in a heat which featured talented stablemates She Dances (Street Boss) and Pounding (Exceed and Excel).

“Thought it was very pleasing, he carried a featherweight in Will Price, be like carrying a postage stamp compared to Luke Nolen I’d imagine,” Moody said with a laugh.

“He just settled out the back and ran home nicely. It’s always nice to trial in a heat where there’s a competitiveness about it instead of just dawdling along, without being asked he lengthened and stretched to the line and rounded off.

“More pleasing was the way he pulled up, the report from Will was very positive.

“He’s really come up nicely, he’s very clean in the wind, very clean in his action, just seems to be enjoying life.”