Champion mare Winx has completed a perfect racing return at Royal Randwick this afternoon; comfortably jogging clear of her talented rivals to win the Group 2 Warwick Stakes (1400m) with complete ease.
Winx was too good for a field of Group 1 winners in this afternoon’s Warwick Stakes at Royal Randwick. Photo: Steve Hart
Winx was sent off a $1.25 favourite in the Warwick Stakes and after jumping well, took an ideal position in running over the back straight on the heels of early leader Rebel Dane.
Offered a clear line upon arriving at the final straight, jockey Hugh Bowman was nothing more than a passenger as the daughter of Street Cry pulled to the front of the field; continuing to open up the gap as Hartnell beat Rebel Dane to the line to figure out the minor places.
Trainer Chris Waller was relieved that Winx returned to racing for her tenth-consecutive win in the Warwick Stakes 2016 and confirmed the mare will continue racing in Sydney before heading to Victoria for her major campaign target; a defence of her crown in the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m).
“That’s the heat of the Olympics out of the way, just the semi-finals and the final to go!” Waller said.
“You never really know where horses are, the way I train. It’s just our system to take them along quietly and just gradually build.
“Her track work has been great, her trials adequate and the last week or so has been brilliant. Even the weather today and well done to Randwick.
“I’m pleased we chose Sydney to resume, that’s her home and there’s a few more runs to come in Sydney before she takes on Melbourne.
“She’s just one of the team, she likes being left in her little corner of the stable and she’s happy. As I’ve said time and time again, she just takes everything so serious and she knows when to switch on race day.
“We’ve got a good jockey and a good stable of staff that constantly look after her and her stable mates, and it makes me very proud.”
Bowman was typically brilliant aboard Winx to win the Warwick Stakes and believes her turn of foot in the final straight this afternoon was the biggest she has produced to date.
“I don’t like getting carried away because it was a field full of stayers and Lucia is probably better suited under these conditions on softer ground,”
“It’s hard not to get carried away with this mare though, she’s really something special and it’s just an honour to be on her back.
“What I loved first-up is she’s fresh and well and although she is well-furnished for her run, she put herself there and rtelazed beautifully and Rebel Dane couldn’t take me far enough.
“I don’t think she’s been as quick under me as she was today when I let her go. I’m starting to get used to her and I’m getting to know her more and more each time but what can I say?”
Winx is a six time winner at the highest level of racing; posting an exceptional career total of fourteen wins and three minors through twenty starts.
