Mighty mare Winx may not be done with yet
More spring glory on the cards
THE odds are improving, albeit fractionally, that Winx may race again this spring.
Trainer Chris Waller yesterday rated Winx a “50-50” chance of starting in the 2000m Emirates Stakes at Flemington on Saturday week.
It’s better than the “40-60” Waller said after the champion mare completed her Cox Plate threepeat on Saturday.
The Victoria Racing Club is sweating on a decision on whether racing’s biggest drawcard will run at the Melbourne Cup carnival.
“There has been no decision on the Emirates Stakes just yet,’’ Waller said yesterday.
“Winx has pulled up well from the Cox Plate.
“She went into the Cox Plate weighing 526kg and came out exactly the same weight, which is quite remarkable because she puts so much effort into her races.
“This tells me she is fit and recovering quickly, and her feed bin is left clean, which shows she is coping well.
“We gave her a couple of days at the beach since the Cox Plate and she went out on to the track for a light jog and she looks picture perfect.”
Waller hasn’t spoken to jockey Hugh Bowman or owners Peter Tighe and Debbie Kepitis about Winx’s future.
“I hope to meet them in the next day or two and I’ll put all the cards on the table,” he said.
“We need to consider if she goes to the Emirates, it will be her sixth run this prep, which is the most she has had so far.
“We will make a joint decision that takes into account the longevity of the horse and also for her fans.”
Waller will chase more Group 1 glory on Saturday with Tangled in the Victoria Derby.
The trainer also has locked in his Melbourne Cup jockeys.
Tommy Berry rides Who Shot Thebarman and Dwayne Dunn is on Libran.