WINX SCARE
MARE’S NERVOUS FINAL SHOWING
THIS is the moment the dream ending to Winx’s racing career so nearly became a nightmare.
The four-time Cox Plate winner had just completed her final track gallop before her farewell race in Sydney tomorrow when she became agitated and lashed out with her hind legs.
Her antics ultimately led to her kicking a sign on the mounting yard fence.
The sound of Winx’s powerful hind leg kick reverberated around the empty Rosehill grandstand as concerned trainer Chris Waller tried desperately to rein in the mare.
Waller was nearly knocked down by the uncharacteristically flighty Winx as she kicked out three times.
Usually so calm and professional, the fit of pique was totally out of character and thankfully Winx quickly settled down.
She was taken away to Waller’s nearby stables before the trainer fronted the huge media contingent, which included a multitude of camera crews from 14 television networks around the world.
The great trainer blamed himself for the incident.
He had removed the earmuffs Winx had galloped in earlier before presenting her to the media, where the cacophonous noise of clicking cameras appeared to spook the champion mare, who bucked and lashed out with her back legs.
“I shouldn’t have taken the earmuffs off this morning,’’ Waller said.
“I just wanted to take them off so you could all see her without the ‘earphones’ but as soon as I did she could hear the clicking and the clacking, and so I probably shouldn’t have done that.
“But I was just trying to do the right thing by everybody so they can see her for what she actually is, behind the mask so to speak.
“There were so many people here and she had the rug on which was sort of grabbing on the bum and I don’t think she liked that too much.
“Then, as you saw, she’s a horse, they’re unpredictable. Obviously it’s a big morning with a lot of cameras and people everywhere …
“She’s certainly ready to explode – that’s probably the better word this morning.’’
If she had not kicked a sign but the fence instead, the likelihood is she would have got her leg stuck between the metal bars, almost certainly causing serious injury.
Fortunately, Waller confirmed Winx had not hurt herself in the incident.
“The farrier has already called to say she’s 100 per cent,’’ Waller said
Winx is $1.06 favourite in Ladbrokes market to end her celebrated career with a 33rd consecutive win in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) tomorrow.
AS YOU SAW, SHE’S A HORSE, THEY’RE UNPREDICTABLE. CHRIS WALLER