RACING Winx works her wonders
JACKPOTS FIRST FOUR: All Races $ 2,500 DOUBLE TRIO: R7 & 8 $ 2,615 WINX won her first barrier trial yesterday and it begs the question: could she be even more dominant this spring?
It’s hard to imagine the world’s best horse on turf could improve but the 1000m trial at Randwick was the first time Winx has crossed the line in front in 16 barrier trials.
Jockey Hugh Bowman settled the mare down in fifth and she cruised past her rivals.
“I feel she is a little stronger than last prep,” Bowman said.
“Is she better? It’s hard to judge but for this stage of the prep she is certainly more focused and switched on.”
Trainer Chris Waller said all was on track for the mare to post her 18th successive win when she runs in Saturday week’s Group 2 Warwick Stakes ( 1400m) at Randwick.
Asked what made Winx so special, Waller said her will to win was very important.
“People who aren’t that close to horses might think you’re fantasising in saying things like that but for whatever reason she seems to get herself out of trouble.
“Barriers, wet tracks, luck in running and she has almost fallen on a couple of occasions yet she still gets herself out of trouble and not just win but normally wins with ease.”
Waller has programmed four lead- up runs for Winx ahead of her bid for a third consecutive Cox Plate.
“We would like to give her a four- week gap between one of the runs,” he said. “If we do that it could get her out to the Emirates Stakes on the last day of the Flemington Carnival.
“Her first Cox Plate was just two ( lead- up runs), her second Cox Plate was three, we have factored in four races and we will make a decision along the way. If we miss a run it will likely be the start of her prep rather than end of her prep.”
PR