Cities vying for Winx’s last run
THE Victoria Racing Club will join Racing Victoria’s push for Winx to run in The All-Star Mile and attempt to convince her connections to give her a farewell run in Melbourne.
But Winx’s connections have indicated that she will have three more runs in her career, all in Sydney, with her final race almost certainly the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick in April.
Although Winx wasn’t nominated for the $5 million inaugural The All-Star Mile (1600m), one of the four wildcards is hers for the taking.
VRC racing manager Leigh Jordon said he hoped they could entice Winx to run in The All-Star Mile at Flemington on March 16 as it would be the perfect way for her to farewell her fans in Melbourne.
“It’s the world’s richest mile race. It’s at weight-for-age, she loves Flemington and she’s got an enormous fan base in Melbourne,” Jordon said.
“We’d love to have her run at Flemington. What better way to kick off The All-Star Mile with the world’s best horse contesting the new race?
“When she runs the crowds go up and her fans here love her. To see her one last time would be a magical experience.”
Jordon said he would call Chris Waller and also speak to connections.
“We will contact Chris as well as Racing Victoria. I know they’ve got a plan but we will give them a bell and try and fire them up to get down here.”
Racing Victoria’s executive general manager Greg Carpenter said he would also get in touch with Waller in a big to try and get the superstar to Melbourne for one last time.
The style of Winx’s win in the Apollo Stakes prompted talk of Winx racing on and chasing a fifth Cox Plate but this was shut down by her trainer Chris Waller and owner Peter Tighe as they confirmed she will be retired at the end of her autumn campaign.
Waller said Winx had pulled up in great order after the race and was enjoying a ‘’ice bath” yesterday to help her recovery.
She will aim for a 23rd Group 1 win when she races next in the Chipping Norton Stakes at Randwick on March 2 which she would be attempting to win for a fourth time.
Tighe confirmed Winx will be retired at the end of her autumn campaign to begin the next phase of her life as a broodmare.
Waller reiterated it is one race at a time for Winx this campaign but it is likely the great mare will have three more starts, culminating in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Randwick on April 13.