Winx win points to a successful Spring
WINX won her first barrier trial yesterday and it begs the question: could she be even more dominant this spring?
It’s hard to imagine the world’s best horse on turf could improve again but yesterday’s 1000m trial at Randwick was the first time Winx has crossed the line in front in 16 barrier trials.
Jockey Hugh Bowman warned that Winx is more focused this preparation.
Bowman yesterday settled the champion mare down in fifth and she cruised past her rivals to defeat a quality field by three-quarters of a length. “She did have a good blow this morning but it was the first time I’ve asked her to extend off the bridle this time in,” Bowman said.
“I feel she is a little stronger than last prep. Is she better? It’s hard to judge but for this stage of the prep she is certainly more focused and switched on.”
Trainer Chris Waller hosed down suggestions Winx has improved but said all was on track for the mare to post her 18th successive win when she runs in Saturday week’s Group 2 Warwick Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.
“It was good and I was happy with her winning the trial and it’s unusual for her,” he said.
“Both (Hugh) and I thought she was probably doing a little too well at this stage of her preparation and just needed a little bit of a stronger hit-out than normal.
“She was in a nice position, so it enabled her to win the trial. But don’t read too much into that and race day is more important, as you’ve seen throughout her career.
“She is not going any better than she has been in previous preps but she is certainly not going any worse.”
Asked what made Winx so special, Waller said her will to win was very important.
“That is something that is hard to explain,” he said.
“People that aren’t that close to horses might think you’re fantasising in saying things like that but for whatever reason she seems to get herself out of trouble and in racing that happens quite consistently.
“Barriers, wet tracks, luck in running and she has almost fallen on a couple of occasions yet she still manages to get herself out of trouble and not just win but she normally wins with a bit of ease.”
Waller has programmed four lead-up runs for Winx ahead of her bid for a third consecutive Cox Plate this spring.