Champion to miss out on Emirates Stakes as trainer decides... Mare’s set for 40 Winx
CHAMPION mare Winx has been ruled out of next Saturday’s Emirates Stakes and won’t race again this spring.
Trainer Chris Waller said Winx would be back in the autumn, with the camp considering races at Caulfield for her return to the track.
Then an overseas campaign is being considered, with the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot in June a likely target.
Winx scored her 22nd consecutive win when she claimed her third Cox Plate at Moonee Valley last Saturday and pulled up so well from that race that Waller considered pressing on to the Group 1 $ 2 million Emirates Stakes ( 2000m) at Flemington.
But after deliberating with owners Peter Tighe, Debbie Kepitis and Richard Treweeke, and jockey Hugh Bowman, the decision was made to send Winx to the paddock.
“We think the time is right for her to have a break,’’ Waller said. “This has been her longest preparation so far, she has been successful in all five starts, and we are mindful of her longevity.
“With Winx, we have never asked her to do too much ( each preparation). We dare to dream, dare to hope this horse continues to do well and this remarkable story goes a little further.’’
Waller admitted Winx pulled up so well after the Cox Plate that it made the decision to spell and miss the Emirates Stakes even more difficult.
He said he was unsure of Winx’s comeback run in the autumn as the mighty mare moves closer to Black Caviar’s record of 25 consecutive wins. The trainer said all options would be considered, including the Group 2 Apollo Stakes at Randwick, a race she has won the past two years.
He also mentioned the Orr Stakes and Futurity Stakes, both Group 1 races at Caulfield, and the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes at Randwick as possible return races.
Waller is due to meet with Royal Ascot’s international equine recruiter, Nick Smith, on Monday where they will discuss a possible international race campaign.
“We won’t come to a decision until the autumn about taking Winx overseas,’’ Waller said. “A decision will be made based on her form and wellbeing. We won’t do anything to jeopardise Winx.’’
When pressed Waller conceded a race like the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes ( 1600m) on the opening day of the Royal Ascot carnival would be a suitable target.
“I think realistically we could look at the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot, a race that Frankel won ( 2012),’’ the trainer said.