Winx back in training again

The world’s finest race mare, Winx commenced training on Monday morning at a secret location in Sydney as she prepares for possibly one of her most important years of racing.

‘‘She’s just going to start pretraining and there’s a long way to go. I don’t come into the equation too much just yet but I’ve been out to see her and she looks great. It’s probably the best she’s been in the paddock in her career so that’s a good starting point,’’ Waller said.

However, neither he nor Winx’s connections would buy into any long-term plans for the champion racehorse and have deferred any decision until next March.

‘‘We have three very powerful options to ponder. We can remain in Australia and tackle the Queen Elizabeth Stakes,’’ Waller said.

‘‘Or we can pull up stumps and send her to England and pit her against rivals across the world. Or after a light autumn give her another spell before she tackles a fourth Cox Plate.

‘‘It’s not rocket science but it is acutely important that Winx is the No.1 consideration. Her form, her fitness and her wellbeing are so very much what our decisions will be based on.

‘‘She is a public horse and the owners and I know the responsibility we have to look after her.’’

Winx is likely to start her autumn campaign in the Apollo Stakes, and she will then progress to the Chipping Norton and her third outing will be in the George Ryder Stakes.