Wonder horse Winx on display
NEVER before has an exhibi- tion gallop on a track where there was no race meeting created so much interest.
But never before has there been a racehorse like the wondrous Winx.
This once-in-a-lifetime champion again demonstrated why she is the sport’s biggest drawcard with more than 700 race fans and a huge contingent of electronic and print media turning up just to watch her early morning workout at Royal Randwick yesterday.
Trainer Chris Waller had a dual purpose for the gallop – giving Winx some necessary exercise ahead of her comeback in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes next week and providing an opportunity for the mighty mare’s many adoring fans to get up close and personal with the world’s best racehorse.
They took selfies with Winx, patted her, stood next to her, soaking in her aura of greatness.
Waller, jockey Hugh Bowman and owners Peter Tighe and Debbie Kepitis posed for photographs, signed autographs and shook more hands than a politician on the campaign trail.
Winx is so popular she just might be the panacea the sport needs after a week where racing made the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
“It is great to see Winx get the following she deserves and the following the sport deserves,’’ Waller said.
“Winx keeps flying flag.’’
Sydney’s superstar mare strutted her stuff over 1000m on the Royal Randwick course proper yesterday, galloping outside of stablemate Egg Tart the with the pair quickening from about the 300m before Winx edged about a half length in front on the line.
“I took a deep breath until Hugh (Bowman) came back and said she was fantastic. He said that she was spot on and exactly where we need her,’’ Waller said.
“We are hoping to see the signs that Winx is still Winx and is as effective as she has been throughout her career.
“We are very aware that she is in the twilight (of her career) but she is not showing any signs of slowing down.’’
Waller said the exhibition gallop will also help release any nervous energy Winx is feeling ahead of her comeback in the Apollo Stakes.
“This was like a pre-season game for a footy team,’’ he explained. “A horse is like a person, they get pre-game nerves, pre-race butterflies like we do.
“We want her to be relaxed and everything going smoothly so having the gallop this morning, a trip in the truck, seeing the cameras and the people, it is as close as you can get to a race day.
“You would be amazed the effect it has on the horse, she will be relaxed and ready.’’
The time and result of the exhibition gallop was immaterial to Waller and Bowman – this was more about giving Winx, a rising eight-year-old mare, the chance to show she still wants to be a racehorse.
“I haven’t felt that ‘ will to go’ and attack the line this preparation until this morning,’’ Bowman revealed.
Winx is expected to have four starts this autumn culminating with the $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick on April 13.