Winx ’feels great’ for shot at history
WINX has had a solid workout at Rosehill ahead of her much-anticipated return to the track in the race named in her honour.
Race jockey Hugh Bowman accompanied the mare in her final piece of fast work yesterday morning ahead of the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Previously known as the Warwick Stakes and run at Group 2 level, the race was upgraded to recognise the champion who has won the
race for the past two years. The Chris Waller-trained mare is shooting for an Australian record 26th consecutive
win on Saturday and her 19th at Group 1 level.
“I am very happy with her preparation work and Hugh said she feels great ahead of Saturday’s race,” Waller said.
There were 13 horses originally nominated with the Garry Neale-trained Oriental Runner an addition late on Monday.
Among the nominations are five of Winx’s stablemates – D’Argento, Libra, Religify, Single Gaze and Unforgotten.
Ladbrokes’ opening market reinforces the public’s belief Winx cannot be beaten with the mare at $1.15 and the next best, Rosehill Guineas winner D’Argento, at $13.
Godolphin’s Alizee, a laststart winner of the Queen Of The Turf, and Victoria Derby winner Ace High are next at $16.
Winx is likely to have a final tune-up on Thursday.
Her definite Group 1 targets in Sydney are the Winx Stakes and George Main Stakes.
If all goes well, Winx will head to Melbourne for the Cox Plate in October to try to win Australia’s weight-forage championship for an unprecedented fourth time.