Winx knockers a mile off
CHAMPION mare Winx is thriving on racing and 1600m is her optimum distance.
This was trainer Chris Waller’s succinct summation of Winx’s progress this spring, which spells trouble for rivals when she aims for a 20th successive win in the Group 1 $500,000 George Main Stakes over the Randwick “mile” on Saturday.
There have been suggestions Winx has shown signs of vulnerability in her two wins this spring and those efforts may have taken a toll, potentially jeopardising her famous winning streak.
But Waller debunked those theories when he said the mighty mare was “going as well as ever” before revealing how well she had rebounded from her wins in the Warwick Stakes and Chelmsford Stakes this spring.
“I’m happy with the way she is going, she looks fantastic,’’ Waller said.
“Her recovery from both races has been great. She is a stronger horse now and actually put on 3kg after her Chelmsford Stakes win last start.
“She had a bit of a blow after that win. Not too much but just enough to suggest she will naturally improve. Her coat is coming through, so I’m looking forward to Saturday.’’
Waller also confirmed the earmuffs will stay on Winx as she chases a 13th Group 1 win in the George Main Stakes.
“There is no issue staying at 1600m,’’ Waller said.
“I think it is her best distance. She is a sprinter-miler that is very good at 2000m as well.’’
Waller is likely to also nominate Foxplay, Mackintosh, Tom Melbourne and McCreery for the George Main Stakes.
Winx is aiming to become the first since the legendary Kingston Town (1981-82) to win successive George Main Stakes, while Waller is chasing a fifth win in six years in the feature Randwick weight-forage race after his victories with Shoot Out (2012), Sacred Falls (2014), Kermadec (2015) and Winx last year.
The George Main Stakes meeting, Sydney’s first Group 1 program of the new season, will feature arguably the best horse in the world right now, Winx, and the world’s highestrated sprinter Chautauqua.
It is a marketing and promotional coup for the Australian Turf Club to have these two champions and crowd favourites competing on the same program at Randwick, where Chautauqua is expected to return to racing in the Group 2 The Shorts (1100m).
Chautauqua has been the long-time favourite for the $10 million The Everest and among his likely opponents in The Shorts are Everest hopefuls English and Redzel.
HER RECOVERY FROM BOTH RACES HAS BEEN GREAT. SHE IS A STRONGER HORSE NOW. CHRIS WALLER