WINX SET TO STOP NATION WINX BLACK CAVIAR

SUPER mare Winx will virtually stop the nation as she bids for racing immortality at Randwick today.

The champion mare is striving for her 25th consecutive win, which equals Black Caviar’s record, in the $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick in Sydney.

If Winx continues her three-year winning streak, she will claim an 18th Group 1 win, improving her own world record.

Winx fever is gripping the nation, with broadcaster Channel 7 announcing it will interrupt its exclusive coverage of the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games to cross live to Randwick for the race.

To ensure Commonwealth Games viewers don’t miss the historic race, Channel 7 will incorporate a clock into the coverage, counting down the

THE BAY v THE BROWN

minutes until Winx jumps from the barriers.

Trainer Chris Waller admitted the pressure of preparing Winx for today’s historic event had made for a nervous build-up to race day.

But, fortunately, Winx seems impervious to pressure. In fact, she thrives on it, according to Waller.

With natural leaders like Classic Uniform and Gailo Chop in the field, the Queen Elizabeth Stakes should be run at a genuine speed on what is likely to be a fast track today.

“I’ve got no concerns over the firm track,’’ Waller said.

“She can be a little bit vulnerable over a sprint distance on a quick, firm track because the speedier horses go so fast.

“It is like the 100m at the Commonwealth Games, you don’t see a big margin to the winner.

“But when the races are over 800m or 1500m it is completely different and that is the same with Winx. The more pressure in a race, the better she becomes.’’

Winx has only had two lead-up races this autumn but Waller maintains the mighty mare is in “great form’’.

“We had her fully prepared for her first-up run, it was a Group 1 mile race, so she was very fit,’’ Waller said.

“Winx is a supreme athlete and we have learned how best to train her and what works.”