Winx is special, says Bruce

CHAMPION mare Winx rates alongside Phar Lap as the greatest Australian racehorse and doesn’t need to compete overseas to enhance her standing.

That is the opinion of Bruce McAvaney, the nation’s most respected sports commentator, who will be trackside at Rosehill tomorrow when Winx attempts her 24th consecutive win – and 17th at Group 1 level – in the $1 million George Ryder Stakes (1500m).

Trainer Chris Waller is set to announce next week whether Winx will travel to England to contest the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.

Waller has confirmed Winx will have two more runs in Sydney this autumn, including the $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Day Two of the Championships, April 14.

If Winx wins the George Ryder Stakes and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, she will take her winning streak to 25, equalling the record of the unbeaten Black Caviar.

But McAvaney doesn’t believe Winx needs to emulate Black Caviar and win at Royal Ascot to be remembered as the greatest champion in Australian history.

“I don’t think Winx has to go overseas to prove anything,’’ McAvaney said.

“I watched Frankel on TV and a couple of his wins were probably the most impressive I have seen. Sea Bird was incredible and I remember Dancing Brave’s Arc win, but it is difficult to compare our champions to their horses.

“Of our great champions, Phar Lap and Black Caviar went overseas and won. There were others but Phar Lap and Black Caviar were the two everyone remembers.

“It doesn’t detract from Winx’s reputation if she doesn’t go overseas but at the same time if she went overseas and trotted up in the Queen Anne or whatever, it could add to it.’’

McAvaney is convinced Winx has already done more than enough to reserve her place alongside the all-time great champions.

“I didn’t see Phar Lap, I didn’t see Bernborough, I did see Tulloch once, but to me Winx is the best I have seen,’’ he said.

Winx worked nicely at Rosehill yesterday under race jockey Hugh Bowman.