Joining the immortals
Mighty Winx returns in imperious fashion to crush Chipping Norton Stakes rivals
TRAINER Chris Waller described the Winx phenomenon as surreal, part-owner Peter Tighe called her an immortal, and jockey Hugh Bowman said the mare’s comeback win showed she was as good as ever.
It was all this and more yesterday as Winx showed her aura of invincibility still shone brightly after another dominant win in the Group 1 $600,000 TAB Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick.
The champion mare demoralised her opposition as she romped home by seven lengths before an appreciative Randwick crowd of 9342.
As Winx returned under a thunderous ovation to the winner’s stall, Waller was trying to put the moment into words.
“This is unbelievable, it’s surreal,’’ Waller said. “It is a huge privilege to be representing our sport and think it is possible that the love of the fans grows for Winx.
“She is capturing the imagination of Australia. She is a great story and represents the right way to portray our sport.
“We have a great horse and to see her come back like this is pretty special.’’
Winx did “drift” in betting to start at $1.09, but the mighty mare gave those punters who took short odds little cause for concern by taking control of the race from the turn and accelerating clear to win by a widening margin from Prized Icon ($16), with Classic Uniform ($51) a half-length away third.
As Winx does virtually every start these days, she breaks racing records as easily as she breaks her rivals’ hearts.
Her record-breaking tri- “She is capturing the imagination of Australia” WINX TRAINER CHRIS WALLER umph yesterday included:
• Winx’s 16th Group 1 win, equalling the world record set by US champion John Henry back in 1984;
• Her 23rd win in succession, now just two behind Black Caviar’s Australian record for most consecutive wins;
• Becoming the first mare to win three Chipping Norton Stakes in succession;
• Taking her prizemoney to an all-time record $15,976,925.
Tighe said the great mare, Waller and Bowman were virtually an unbeatable combination.
“I’d have to say they are immortals now,’’ he said.
“I don’t know where you go from here but they are at the top of their game and going to be there for a long time yet.
“It’s a relief to see her win today because the first race of a preparation I find is the hardest.
“Before the race, there were plenty of butterflies hoping she has come back. Well, she has given people plenty of information today. She is back bigger and better than ever.’’
Winx was a little slow to begin, with Bowman deciding to ease behind the pack with only Lasqueti Spirit trailing the champion.
Bowman bided his time on Winx until about the 600m when he gave her a little slap over the shoulder almost as if he was asking the great mare to switch into race mode. She did. Winx went wide on the turn and strolled up under a tight hold by Bowman to join the leaders at the 300m.
Bowman showed her the whip for a couple of strides but didn’t need it as the mare quickly extended stride, racing right away even though her rider was easing up 50m out.
“It was like I was just in the middle of the track all on my own with her – I could enjoy the moment,’’ Bowman said.
“She has been filling me with confidence all preparation. She is at her most vulnerable early in her preparation over the shorter distances. We’ve seen when she has run in her first-up races over 1400m it’s the only time she’s left flat-footed.
“Today, at the 1600m, a nice genuinely run race, I had a lovely run close to the rear of the field but she just travelled so kindly.’’
Asked if Winx, a rising seven-year-old, could even be better than ever, Bowman said: “Put it this way, I’d say she is going as well as ever.”