Waller says champ ready for anything
CHRIS Waller has dismissed fears Winx could fall victim to a tempo-related ambush in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington tomorrow, pointing to the wonder mare’s supreme adaptability.
With only six rivals standing between the world’s toprated mare and a 21st straight win, Waller said Winx would cope with all contingencies.
“The beauty of Winx (is that) she can adapt to all situations whether it be a threehorse field, whether it be a big field, weight-for-age, a handicap or set weights and penalties,” Waller said.
“Track conditions, the same. Some horses, you’re watching every cloud that’s coming onto the horizon, the weather maps.
“But a horse like Winx, wet tracks, hard tracks – it’s not problem.”
Waller said he had not yet run his eye over the field for the Turnbull, a Group 1 worth $500,000– such is his faith in Winx and jockey Hugh Bowman.
“Assessing the Turnbull field, we won’t over analyse things,” he said. “That’s the beauty of Hugh Bowman.
“He lets the horse be where she’s comfortable. And she does the rest.”
Winx is a UBET $1.16 favourite to land her 14th Group 1 with Humidor ($4.60) the only other runner under double figure odds.
Three of her rivals – Assign ($101), Magicool ($301) and Skyfire ($301) – are at triple figures.
Bowman, who has won 17 straight races on Winx, has the utmost confidence in the mare but he is also wary of Darren Weir’s Humidor.
“I’ve got a very healthy respect for Humidor,” he said.
“I thought his win last start (in the Makybe Diva Stakes) was very impressive. He beat a class field.
“And with all due respect to Happy Clapper, I’d say he’s (Humidor) probably the toughest opposition that she’s met this preparation. “So I’m excited about that. “Obviously there a bit of a long tail to the depth of the field but I won’t look too much into that.
“I’ll do what I always do and give her chance to do what she can do.”
Again reinforcing the view Winx is superior in Melbourne – where she has twice destroyed quality Cox Plates fields – to her home city Sydney, Bowman said Waller’s decision to take ear muffs off the mare was the right call.
Bowman said Waller decided to use the gear on Winx after she played up in the barriers before winning the Warwick Stakes on August 19.
“She’s always been a bit fractious in the barriers and it’s the only time I’m a little bit nervous on her back is in the barriers,” Bowman said.
“She’s a little unpredictable … Chris, being the ultra professional he is, took steps to rectify that.
“He thought the earmuffs might help sedate her somewhat and she wears them all the time in trackwork.
“Ultimately, I don’t think she needs them, neither does Chris, and it will be back to normal on Saturday.”