Jockey backs Winx to fire

HUGH Bowman concedes Winx is not unbeatable this spring but the jockey’s confidence that her winning streak can continue has only grown ahead of Saturday’s George Main Stakes at Randwick.

Winx will bid for consecutive win number 20 in the Group 1 feature and Bowman heads into the race with more confidence than her previous two starts this spring.

“I wouldn’t say she is unbeatable and I’ve never really thought that,” Bowman said.

“But I feel she is always at her most vulnerable early in the prep and as her preparation gets deeper my confidence certainly grows with her.

“She gets fit with her racing and (trainer Chris Waller) doesn’t push her to have her prepared early on and he relies on her natural ability to do that and her natural athleticism.

“As we get deeper into the prep, I can’t speak for Chris but my confidence certainly grows.

“That anticipation that is around with her first-up tends to diminish somewhat for me as we get into the prep and she relaxes a bit.”

Debate has raged about whether Winx is going as well as previous preparations after she has had to overcome two scares to extend her winning streak to 19 this spring.

Waller is adamant she is going as well as ever and Bowman is on the same page.

“I think she is going as well and she is a bigger horse and

she is stronger,” Bowman said.

“People may not understand that when watching a race but she missed the start five lengths first-up and I don’t think she could have done anymore at either start.

“I don’t get into the nitty gritty of all the data that Chris would have available to him.

“I literally just go by feel and the only times that I really get a gauge of where she is at is when I work her with some company.

“That’s something that only happens a couple of gallops each preparation.

“She did gallop in company leading up to the Chelmsford Stakes and she indicated to me she is right on target.”

Waller said he felt Saturday’s distance of 1600m was Winx’s optimum trip but Bowman feels she is even more effective over further.

Winx is rated a $1.10 favourite to win Saturday’s George Main Stakes, with the final field for the $500,000 race to be declared today.