The Country combination of trainer Tony Romeo and jockey Chris Brown are keen to hit the big stage and take on super star mare Winx in the Group 1 $500,000 Seppelt Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday.

Magicool, above, is one of the outsiders to take on Winx in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Magicool, above, is one of the outsiders to take on Winx in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington. Photo by Daniel Costello.

The Chris Waller trained Winx is the winner of twenty-four races from thirty starts, undefeated at her last twenty outings, with over $13 million in prizemoney and picnic jockey Chris Brown is excited to race against her on $301 shot Magicool at his first ride at Flemington.

Winx is marked at $1.16 at Ladbrokes.com.au to collect her twenty-first consecutive win in the Turnbull Stakes and although Brown knows he won’t see a lot her, he is very excited to be in the contest.

“I can’t believe that I’m riding against Winx,” Brown told the Herald Sun.

“It’s a great opportunity and will be something I remember forever.”

Brown mixed picnic races and jumps racing before gaining his full jockey’s licence and the former Kiwi jockey admits that a six months holiday has blown out to twenty years riding in Australia.

“I came for a six months holiday and stayed for 20 years,” Brown said.

Diggers Rest trainer Tony Romeo is optimistic about Magicool’s chances against the best race horse in the country and is expecting an improved performance on his last start tenth in the $100,000 Benalla Cup (2046m) at Benalla on September 29.

“Chris rides track work for me and deserves his chance,” Romeo said.

“The horse is fitter for his last start and this race will tell me where to head with him.”

Magicool reached the pinnacle of his career as a three year old under trainer the Mark Kavanagh when he won the Group 1 $600,000 Queensland Derby (2200m) at Doomben during the 2015 Brisbane Winter Carnival but hasn’t visited the winner’s stall since.

The Fastnet Rock six year old has drawn the rails in the seven horse field with Winx next to him in barrier two with Hugh Bowman on board and that might be the closest Brown gets to the mighty mare.

Winx has kept her winning momentum going with three wins at Randwick during the 2017 Spring Carnival in the Group 2 $250,000 Warwick Stakes (1400m), in the Group 2 $250,000 Tattersalls Club Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) and in the Group 1 $500,000 Colgate Optic White Stakes (George Main Stakes) (1600m).

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.