Winx adds to growing legend in Main win

WINX is as Winx does – and she does it better than any other horse in Australia with a lot less effort.

The champion mare yesterday cruised to her 11th straight win, seventh at Group 1 level, to claim the George Main Stakes (1600m) in front of an adoring crowd at Randwick.

And she did it without seeming to break a sweat, ambling past Hauraki and holding him at bay by just over a length and showing no signs of any problems after trainer Chris Waller felt compelled to report a slight graze on her knee.

“It was very tradesmanlike,” Waller said. “She just does what is asked of her.

“We didn’t want her to have a gut buster but it was a good win leading to the Caulfield Stakes and the Cox Plate.”

Although no other horse racing at the highest level has the record to challenge the unbeaten Black Caviar, Winx is carving into other standards.

At $1.09 she was the shortest-priced Group 1 winner in Sydney this century and her 11 in a row equals a winning streak by the great Kingston Town in the 1980s. She may have only had five runners to beat in the George Main but she let them all go at the start.

Hugh Bowman didn’t bustle her and she caught up at her leisure. “She just threw her head as the gates opened,” Bowman said.

“That led me to the decision to where I rode her, which I was happy to do. I was happy to ride her that way. It wasn’t a fast pace, but I feel so much confidence in her.

“She’s beaten inferior opposition today, but there is going to be nowhere to hide when we get to Melbourne.”

Waller admits Caulfield will present a new challenge for Winx, whose only start in Melbourne was last October when she won the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley.

“You always look at other races but it looks to fit in nicely.

“Caulfield is probably not perfect for a Sydney horse first time but she’s just got that ability to switch herself around and finish off from wherever she is,” he said.