The Gold Coast Bulletin

Slick Winx has Waller beaming

- RAY THOMAS

WINX isn’t getting any younger but it seems age – like her opposition – hasn’t caught up with the great mare just yet.

Now a seven-year-old, the champion retains her zest and enthusiasm for racing as she proved with a dazzling barrier trial at Rosehill yesterday.

Jockey Hugh Bowman rated Winx’s effort as her best barrier trial ever, while trainer Chris Waller could not stop smiling.

Winx came out of the barriers about a length behind the rest of the field in her 1000m trial.

She stayed at the back until the turn where she improved through the field under Bowman’s tight rein to finish third, only about a length from winner Alizee.

“I was very impressed with her,’’ Bowman said. “I asked her to do a bit more than her first trial and she felt as good as she looked.”

The champion jockey’s comments were music to the ears of Winx’s trainer.

“She looked pretty good to

me, as you can tell by the smile on my face,’’ Waller said.

“It was good to hear what I hoped to hear from Hugh Bowman which is that Winx has come back really well.

“Personally I could not have been happier with her trial and she is bang on target for two weeks time.’’

Winx is set to return in the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on August 18. The race was formerly known as the Warwick Stakes.

Ladbrokes has Winx at odds of $1.15 to score her 26th victory in succession, breaking the national record for consecutiv­e wins she shares with unbeaten Black Caviar.

Bowman said Winx was

“more relaxed” yesterday morning after her exhibition gallop between races at Randwick last Saturday and this may have contribute­d to her slightly slow start in the trial.

“She was again just a bit ‘bouncy’ in the stalls,’’ he said.

“I put her in a bit early because I wanted her to stand there for a while just in case she draws in for her first run back next week.

Bowman was encouraged by Winx’s attitude. “There is no doubt in my mind she wants to be out there,’’ he said.

Waller has changed his training routine with Winx by sending her out for an exhibition gallop in between her two scheduled barrier trials.

 ?? Picture: BRETT COSTELLO ?? Winx and jockey Hugh Bowman return to the enclosure after the trial.
Picture: BRETT COSTELLO Winx and jockey Hugh Bowman return to the enclosure after the trial.
 ??  ?? Winx (fourth from left) works home nicely in her trial; jockey Hugh Bowman and trainer Chris Waller confer; and part-owner Debbie Kepitis listens to the jockey’s report.
Winx (fourth from left) works home nicely in her trial; jockey Hugh Bowman and trainer Chris Waller confer; and part-owner Debbie Kepitis listens to the jockey’s report.
 ?? Pictures: GETTY IMAGES ??
Pictures: GETTY IMAGES
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