All hail the greatest
Winx eyes Group 1 milestone
WHEN Winx contests the Chipping Norton Stakes at Randwick on Saturday it will provide a rare opportunity to watch a world champion set a world record.
The mare is chasing her 23rd Group 1 win, eclipsing the mark for most major race wins she shares with Irish hurdler Hurricane Fly.
Winx’s Group 1 record is already the most by any thoroughbred racing on the flat – and by a considerable margin.
American champ John Henry is next with 16 wins, ahead of unbeaten Australian sprinter Black Caviar on 15.
There are no Group 1 races for jumpers in the Australia but they are prevalent in the northern hemisphere.
Hurricane Fly won 22 majors over the jumps in Ireland and England.
Winx, who was a joint winner with now-retired Cracksman of the 2018 Longines World’s Best Racehorse award, is also aiming for her 31st race win in succession in the $600,000 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m), a weightfor-age race she has already won in 2016-17-18.
Ladbrokes have opened betting on the Chipping Norton, installing Winx at odds of $1.10 favourite.
This hasn’t stopped one punter from having $106,000 at those odds to extend her famous winning streak.
Winx is among seven Chipping Norton entries from trainer Chris Waller.
He has also nominated Brimham Rocks, D’Argento, Egg Tart, Libran, Patrick Erin and Unforgotten.
Entries for the Chipping Norton have been extended as the Australian Turf Club has received only 10 so far.
Waller said Winx had come through her first-up Apollo Stakes win at Randwick on February 16 in good order and would strip fitter.
“I doubt she can be even better,’’ Waller said.
“She hasn’t changed a lot. “She is just so dominant and unless something is there to test her we will see the same horse as last preparation.”