WORLD’S EYES ARE ON WINX
WINX’S jockey Hugh Bowman is aware the eyes of the racing world will be trained on the champion mare’s farewell race, the Group 1 $4 million Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes ( 2000m) at Royal Randwick today.
“I appreciate the attention Winx attracts here in Australia but the reality is she attracts the same attention all over the world,’’ Bowman said.
“I’ve done a lot of riding overseas throughout Winx’s career, actually, most of my overseas success has come since she has been racing.
“I’ve often ridden Winx on a Saturday then hopped over to Hong Kong or Japan on a Sunday to ride and I know Winx is very popular there, too.
“It is very humbling and I guess her longevity has enabled that. She has attracted that attention by continuing to win season after season.
“The fact we are going four years into her winning streak, we are so proud of what she has been able to achieve.’’
Winx is chasing her 33rd consecutive win and a world record 25th at Group 1 level at Royal Randwick today.
The mighty mare is such a massive fan favourite that Royal Randwick is sell-out today with a bumper crowd of more than 42,000 expected for her final race.
TAB Fixed Odds have already taken more than $1.5 million in bets on Winx to win the Queen Elizabeth Stakes — and that figure is expected to double today.
“The biggest hold on Winx to win a race with TAB Fixed Odds was $3.104 million when she won her fourth straight Cox Plate at Moonee Valley last October but that figure could be usurped considering the heightened interest for Winx’s last race,” TAB’s Trent Langskaill said.
“In last year’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes, $1.068 million was placed on Winx to be victorious and that total has already been surpassed.’’
One TAB customer has already had $450,000 in total on Winx to win today with bets of $150,000 at $1.10 twice and $150,000 at $1.08 which would result in a potential profit of $42,000.
The biggest single bet on Winx to win the Queen Elizabeth Stakes so far with TAB Fixed Odds is a $246,917 wager at $1.06 while another TAB punter has placed $130,786 at $1.07 yesterday.
Bowman is the man in the hot seat today. He knows punters and race fans around the world are urging him to bring Winx home a winner one last time.
“There’s a great sense of pride with all the emotion Winx attracts,’’ Bowman said.
“I’m not oblivious to it, I feel it as well but for me I am very proud to be such an integral part of what she has been able to achieve.
“When I get on her back at the races she gives me confidence because of how relaxed she is.
“The attention on her, she just ignores it and that helps me put it to one side.
“Once we get on to the track and canter off, I relax as well.
“Then when we are behind the barrier it is literally like riding in any other race.’’
Trainer Chris Waller is aware of Winx has secured her place among the pantheon of the alltime greats. “She has touched a generation,” he said.