Star mare still in top form at Rosehill
THE champ is back and she’s not interested in slowing down just yet.
Winx strolled through her opening barrier trial of the year at Rosehill yesterday morning as she begins one last preparation to end her scintillating career.
The Chris Waller-trained seven-year-old ran seventh of 10, five-and-three-quarter lengths behind Endless Drama in her trial, which was a typical hit-out for her.
And if potential rivals think the time has come where she might be beatable due to her age, think again.
“If anything, she looks better at the same stage (of her preparation) and her body language is fantastic,” Waller said.
“We’re just focusing on getting her ready for her first run and everything looked pretty good this morning.
“When you’re talking age, she’s only three months beyond from when she won her fourth Cox Plate, so it’s not like she’s a year older.”
During her famous 29-race winning streak, the closest she’s come to losing was when missing the start by four lengths in the 2017 Group 2 Warwick Stakes.
Winx did jump two lengths behind the pack in her trial, but steadied and gobbled up a few rivals in the straight under High Bowman, who barely breathed on her.
“I was really pleased,” Bowman said.
“Because she missed the kick, I didn’t want to rush her into her gears and it took a little while to join on to the field, and her best work was as she went past the winning post and beyond. Her action was great and, if anything, she was more relaxed than usual.” POTENTIAL: Krysten Swaffer, 20, is following in the footsteps of older brother Braydn Swaffer, working as an apprentice jockey under Cairns trainer Trevor Rowe.