Kiwi mare to eyeball Winx
Chris Waller says it will take a champion or bad luck to beat Winx when she lines up for an historic fourth successive win in the weight-for-age race at Moonee Valley.
The seemingly unbeatable mare – chasing her 29th consecutive victory – will face seven rivals in Saturday’s A$5 million feature over 2040m, including New Zealand mare Savvy Coup coming off a dominant win in the group one Livamol Classic at Hastings.
Winx drew barrier six of the eight runners yesterday, with the Michael and Matthew Pitman-trained Savvy Coup one inside her in barrier five. Savvy Coup will be ridden by regular jockey Chris Johnson who piloted the Canterbury-trained mare to victory at Hastings.
That win was tinged with emotion, with Pitman senior revealing he was to undergo surgery for bowel cancer, but still hoped to be on track in Melbourne to saddle the mare for the Cox Plate.
Winx was a $1.25 favourite with the New Zealand TAB soon after the draw at noon yesterday, with British raider Benbatl the second favourite at $8.50 and Savvy Coup a $31 chance. Former New Zealand-trained galloper Humidor, runner-up to Winx last year, was at $16.
Expat Kiwi trainer Waller and jockey Hugh Bowman were pleased with Winx’s work-out at the Breakfast with the Best at Moonee Valley in front of a large early morning crowd yesterday.
The mare trotted up the straight before cantering off from the winning post, gradually increasing her speed from the 1200m before Bowman slipped her more rein over the final 400m, clocking 24.39sec.
‘‘Hugh just let her use herself around the bend, making sure everything was right,’’ Waller said. ‘‘Just as you would with a race-car before a big race, making sure everything is in order.
‘‘The accelerator was there and the brakes were working this morning. There was a bit of smoke coming out of Hughie.’’
Waller said the mare’s preparation had gone smoothly and only two things can beat her.
‘‘That’s bad luck or a champion,’’ Waller said. ‘‘The next champion could be there waiting and be ready to pounce.
‘‘So long as there’s not too many traffic problems because in most sport you need the bounce of the ball to go your way. Fortunately her class gets her out of most situations, but you can’t take it for granted.’’