Winx in chase for first trial success

WINX could record a personal best finish in a barrier trial at Rosehill today as the Chris Waller stable remain mindful of keeping her winning streak intact this autumn.

Winx has never finished closer than third in the 13 official barrier trials she has contested during her career and the champion mare equalled that mark when third to Music Magnate in a 900m Rosehill trial on January 17.

Chris Waller’s racing manager Charlie Duckworth said Winx will be “asked to do slightly more” today as she continues to build towards a 14th- straight win in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes ( 1400m) at Randwick on February 11.

“She has never won a trial but I dare say she might get her first second ( today),” Duckworth quipped.

“She will be asked to do slightly more than her first trial just to bring her on.

“Obviously 1400m is short of her best so we just have to be mindful now we are trying to keep the unbeaten streak ( going).

“( The 1400m) is probably her most vulnerable trip and she has proved her dominance time and time again over a mile and 2000m.”

The Waller camp can’t be happier with Winx, who had a 1000m track gallop at Rosehill last Saturday.

“She came out of her first trial ( well) and we have just allowed her to extend fully in her gallops,” Duckworth said.

“She galloped well on the ( Rosehill) course proper on Saturday and her regular rider Ben Cadden couldn’t have been happier with her.

“She ( galloped) by herself and if you do it with another horse she will either go too hard or dishearten the other horse because not many can keep up.”

Winx will steal the headlines at Rosehill today but the trial session will also see the return of champion sprinter Chautauqua.

The TJ Smith Stakes has been flagged as the obvious target for Chautauqua this autumn but co- trainer John Hawkes yesterday said nothing had been locked in for the six- year- old just yet.

“We haven’t mapped out anything yet and we will just see how he trials and see how he pulls up in the next week or so.”