Winx off to Melbourne
SYDNEY racing has lost its biggest Spring Carnival drawcard with champion mare Winx to have her final Cox Plate lead-up in Melbourne.
Trainer Chris Waller revealed yesterday that Winx would have her next start in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on October 7.
It was expected Winx would race in the Craven Plate (2000m) at Randwick on Everest Day, October 14, but Waller said the timing of the Turnbull Stakes was a better fit for the mare’s Cox Plate campaign.
“The sole reason for running here as the most likely option is simply based on the timing of the current program, which will provide her with three weeks between runs from the George Main to the Turnbull and another three weeks into the Cox Plate for her fifth run of the campaign,’’ Waller said.
“While this is her intended path, if she was not to run in the Turnbull it would be my intentions to run in the Craven Plate on October 14 at Royal Randwick before heading to Melbourne in preparation for the Cox Plate.’’
Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys echoed the thought of Winx’s legion of Sydney fans when he learned the great mare would continue her spring race campaign in Melbourne.
“Naturally we are disap- pointed but I totally respect Chris Waller’s decision,’’ V’landys said.
Winx scored her 20th successive in win the George Main Stakes last Saturday and has already been rated at $1.15 with TAB Fixed Odds to keep her famous winning streak going in the Turnbull Stakes. Her old sparring partner, Hartnell, is next at $12.
Waller said he was “extremely pleased” with the way she had pulled up well after the George Main Stakes.
“She continues to maintain her weight, approximately 10kg heavier than what she was when winning the 2016 Cox Plate,’’ he said.
Waller also revealed plans to remove the ear muffs from Winx’s race day gear for the Turnbull Stakes. The mighty mare had worn them in her Chelmsford Stakes and George Main Stakes wins.
He also suggested the mare could have an extended European race campaign next year.