Winx plan pointing to Flemington race
SYDNEY racing has lost its biggest spring carnival drawcard with champion mare Winx to have her final Cox Plate lead-up in Melbourne.
Trainer Chris Waller revealed yesterday that Winx will have her next start in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on October 7.
It was expected Winx would race in the Craven Plate (2000m) at Royal Randwick on Everest Day, October 14, but Waller explained the timing of the Turnbull Stakes was a better fit for the mare’s Cox Plate campaign.
“The sole reason for running here as the most likely option is simply based on the timing of the current program which will provide her with three weeks between runs from the George Main to the Turnbull and another three weeks into the Cox Plate for her fifth run of the campaign,’’ Waller said.
“Whilst this is her intended path, if she was not to run in the Turnbull it would be my intentions to run in the Craven Plate on October 14 at Royal Randwick before heading to Melbourne in preparation for the Cox Plate.’’
Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys echoed the thought of Winx’s Sydney fans when he learned the mare would continue her spring campaign in Melbourne.
“Naturally we are disappointed but I totally respect Chris Waller’s decision,’’ V’landys said.
Winx scored her 20th successive win in the George Main Stakes last Saturday.
Waller said he was “extremely pleased” with the way Winx had pulled up well after the victory.
“I could not be happier with her recovery since the run and she continues to maintain her weight approximately 10kg heavier than what she was when winning the 2016 Cox Plate,’’ he said.
Waller also revealed plans to remove the ear muffs from Winx’s race day gear for the Turnbull Stakes. The mighty mare has won them in her Chelmsford Stakes and George Main Stakes wins this spring.
Jockey Hugh Bowman believes Waller’s decision to start Winx next in the Turnbull Stakes gives the mare her best chance of winning her third successive Cox Plate.
“She appeared lethargic to everyone that watched the early stages of the race (George Main Stakes) the other day, but it was run in a very fast time,’’ Bowman said.
NATURALLY WE ARE DISAPPOINTED BUT I TOTALLY RESPECT CHRIS WALLER’S DECISION