Switch of plan for glamour mare
Turnbull Stakes start would give Winx three weeks until the Cox Plate
Trainer Chris Waller says champion racemare Winx will most likely be switched to Melbourne to continue her Cox Plate campaign. Waller announced yesterday he has pencilled in the group one Turnbull Stakes at Flemington on October 7 as the next start for Winx.
On track for a third successive Cox Plate victory, Winx stretched her winning sequence to 20 in claiming the George Main Stakes at Randwick last Saturday.
“The sole reason [for the Turnbull] as the most likely option is simply based on the timing of the current program,” Waller said.
A Turnbull Stakes start would give Winx three weeks since her George Main win with the same time between races until the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on October 28.
“As has always been the case, I will continue to be guided by the horse and what I feel is best for her when planning her racing preparations,” Waller said.
Waller had been tossing up between the Turnbull and the group three Craven Plate at Randwick on October 14 as the next possible appearance for Winx.
After consulting with jockey Hugh Bowman, Waller will tinker with Winx’s gear for the Turnbull.
“It is my intention to remove the ear muffs from her raceday gear for her next start as Hugh and I don’t feel they are required,” Waller said.
Winx is a $1.50 favourite to join Kingston Town as a three-time winner of the Cox Plate, Moonee Valley’s flagship event regarded as Australia’s weight-for-age championship.
Meanwhile, a star-studded field will line up for the $200,000 Windsor Park Plate (R9) at Hastings on Saturday after the barrier draw was released yesterday.
The group one features the likes of Kawi, Volkstok’n’barrell, Gingernuts and Volpe Veloce.
The Plate is sandwiched in between the Tarzino Trophy, won on September 2 by Close Up, and the Livamol Classic on October 7 — making up the Hawke's Bay group one triple crown.