Waller says Winx won’t race again this spring

RACING: Winx’s spring is over with trainer Chris Waller deciding to spell the mare, indicating “she deserves a holiday” after her record-equalling Cox Plate victory.

Waller had considered heading to the Emirates Stakes on the final day of the Flemington carnival next Saturday with the champion mare.

The Victoria Racing Club was hopeful Winx would appear on the final day of the carnival, which would have resulted in a record crowd for the day.

“We’ve reached a unanimous decision ... We have considered everything. It’s time for her to have a break,” Waller said.

“We are hoping this amazing story can go a little further (next year). She’s still in great shape.”

Her main goal was always the Cox Plate, with the mare winning her grand final narrowly from Humidor last week at Moonee Valley.

The champion also was spelled after her two previous Cox Plate victories.

Waller has kept her at his Flemington stables this week after her historic win last Saturday.

Hopes were high early yesterday afternoon that Winx would headline the $2 million Emirates Stakes when Waller called a press conference to announce the mare’s immediate future, but those hopes were quickly dashed when the trainer pulled the curtain on her spring.

Winx ends 2017 having now won 22 consecutive races – just three victories shy of the unbeaten Black Caviar’s record. Her third Cox Plate victory last Saturday took her earnings to a record $15.6 million.

She is expected to return to racing in Sydney in the autumn before a possible trip to England to race at the Royal Ascot Carnival next June.