Spring campaign is over for Winx

CHAMPION mare Winx has been ruled out of next Saturday’s Emirates Stakes and won’t race again this spring.

Trainer Chris Waller said Winx will be back in the autumn with races at Caulfield in the camp’s thinking for her return to the track.

Then an overseas campaign is being considered with the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot next June a likely target.

Winx scored her 22nd con- secutive win when she claimed her third Cox Plate at Moonee Valley last Saturday and pulled up so well from that race that Waller considered pressing on to the Group 1 $2 million Emirates Stakes (2000m) at Flemington.

But after deliberating with owners Peter Tighe, Debbie Kepitis and Richard Treweeke, and jockey Hugh Bowman, the decision was made to send Winx to the paddock.

“We think the time is right for her to have a break,’’ Waller said. “This has been her long- est preparation so far, she has been successful in all five starts, and we are mindful of her longevity.

“With Winx, we have never asked her to do too much [each preparation]. We dare to dream, dare to hope this horse continues to do well and this remarkable story goes a little further.’’

Waller admitted Winx pulled up so well after the Cox Plate that it made the decision to spell and miss the Emirates Stakes even more difficult.

He said was he unsure of Winx’s comeback run in the autumn as the mighty mare moves closer to Black Caviar’s record of 25 consecutive wins.

All options will be considered for Winx’s return including the Group 2 Apollo Stakes at Randwick, a race she has won the last two years.

He also mentioned the Orr Stakes and Futurity Stakes at Caulfield, and the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes at Randwick as possible return races.

Waller has a meeting on Monday to discuss a possible international race campaign.