Wonder mare Winx seals 30th straight win
ANY thoughts Winx might not be as good as she once was, not as fast as she was, too old at seven, or vulnerable over 1400 metres, have been scotched in just under 81 seconds with the great mare notching her 30th consecutive win in the Apollo Stakes at Randwick yesterday.
For her expat Kiwi trainer Chris Waller the over-riding emotion, as always, is relief. Relief when she returns safely from her races and relief he has made the right decisions, particularly to keep her racing after her record fourth Cox Plate in October.
There was also a heap of pride and wonder at what she can do for racing which has been beset by headlines in past weeks regarding leading Victorian trainer Darren Weir and his disqualification and Queensland’s Ben Currie, who has been asked to show why he should not be suspended.
‘‘What she does for racing makes me proud,’’ Waller said.
‘‘"It’s a great sport and she’s a true headline act and puts racing in a positive light.’’
Winx started the $1.10 favourite to extend her winning streak in the Apollo Stakes with Sydney’s second favourite horse Happy Clapper next at $11.
And that’s how it panned out with rider Hugh Bowman easing the mare up to Happy Clapper before strolling to a 21⁄4 length win.
Bowman said the race panned out pretty much as he expected.
‘‘The pace of the race was very even which suited us. I had to niggle her to hold her position closer than I normally would over a bit further, especially when I could see the path that Sam [Clipperton] was plotting on Happy Clapper out of pure respect for that horse’s ability.
‘‘We needed to be within striking distance. But as the the race unfolded, we settled into a lovely rhythm. It was a pretty comfortable race for me and it was pretty comfortable for Winx.
‘‘She was in pure control.’’ A crowd of 15,330 came to see Winx, who is likely to have just three more starts – the Chipping Norton, George Ryder and
Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
AAP