Top mantle on line for mighty mare
SUPER mare Winx could claim racing’s undisputed world champion title if results go her way this weekend.
Winx chases her 18th consecutive win when she resumes in the Group 2 $250,000 Warwick Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday while American champion Arrogate lines up in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar in California on Sunday morning (AEST).
Arrogate edged out Winx for the world’s best racehorse award earlier this year but he did suffer a shock last start defeat at Del Mar late last month.
Winx has been unbeaten for more than two years and is closing in on Arrogate as the world’s No.1-ranked racehorse.
Peter Tighe, a part-owner of Winx, conceded both champions put their reputations on the line every time they race.
“Winx races first when she runs at Randwick on Saturday then 14 hours later Arrogate runs in America,’’ Tighe said.
“Arrogate has to prove he has come back after his last start loss but Winx also has to show she has come back, too.
“We don’t wish Arrogate any bad luck but it will be interesting to see how goes and it will be interesting to see how Winx runs.
Winx is among 11 early noms for the Warwick Stakes with TAB installing the mare a dominant $1.10 favourite.
Invincible Gem, a last start winner of the Missile Stakes, is next in betting at $13 but her trainer Kris Lees admitted the mare is “highly unlikely” to run in the Warwick Stakes.
“We nominated her just in case but the plan is to wait for the Tramway Handicap in a couple of weeks,’’ Lees said.
“Invincible Gem is being aimed at races like the Golden Pendant, possibly the Epsom Handicap and the Myer Classic so I don’t want to overtax too early in her preparation.’’
If Invincible Gem doesn’t contest the Warwick Stakes, then Winx will start even an shorter price on Saturday.
During Winx’s long winning sequence, the shortest odds bookies have bet about the great mare was $1.09 when she won the George Main Stakes last spring.
The Australian Turf Club has extended the nomination deadline for the Warwick Stakes but among Winx’s possible rivals are Foxplay, Antonio Giuseppe, Inference, Ecuador and Harper’s Choice.