Winx races towards records
CHAMPION Winx can break a world record next start and then equal Black Caviar’s alltime winning streak in Sydney this autumn carnival.
The mighty mare proved she was still at her dominant best in her Chipping Norton Stakes return at Randwick last Saturday and there doesn’t seem to be a challenger to her absolute superiority on the horizon.
This means Winx should claim a world record 17th Group 1 win when she races next in the $1 million George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 24.
Then the stars (and statistics) would be aligned for Winx to equal Black Caviar’s 25 wins in succession in the richest race of the Sydney autumn carnival, the Group 1 $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick on Day Two of The Championships on April 14.
There is a real symmetry about Winx going to 25 wins on the same grand stage where Black Caviar ended her un- beaten career with a memorable T.J. Smith Stakes triumph at Randwick five years ago.
But trainer Chris Waller is keeping the status quo and maintaining Winx’s race program hasn’t been determined beyond the George Ryder.
Waller’s choices after the Ryder, presuming Winx wins, is the Queen Elizabeth Stakes or a trip to England to race at famous Royal Ascot.
It is even possible Winx could do both.
A Queen Elizabeth Stakes start will only be Winx’s third start for the autumn carnival.