Australia’s new glamour mare Winx won’t be running in the Group 1 $4m Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on the second day of ‘The Championships’ on Saturday.
Winx has been announced a non runner in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
Trainer Chris Waller and connections have decided against backing up Winx after she won her ninth race in succession with victory in the Group 1 $3m The Star Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick last Saturday.
Waller was reluctant to confirm a start for Winx in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes immediately after the Doncaster Mile, saying that he wasn’t sure how the mare would handle a seven day back up.
“I will see how much today takes out of her,” Waller said after the Doncaster Mile.
“I have never asked her to recover quickly. I usually leave her alone for three or four days. I have never had to see.”
“It’s all about maintaining her winning record and keeping admiration for her.”
Waller met with the Winx’s owners on Monday and informed Racing New South Wales Stewards this morning that the 2015 Cox Plate winner won’t be contesting the weight for age Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Winx will now be set for the 2015 Spring Carnival in a bid to win back to back Group 1 $3m Cox Plates (2040m) at Moonee Valley in October.
Racing New South released the following statement this morning.
“Trainer Chris Waller has advised Racing NSW Stewards that Winx will not contest the Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Randwick this Saturday.”
On Monday afternoon Stewards had ordered the suspension of betting on the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, pending a decision from the Waller stable on Winx, but Stewards will permit betting to recommence on the Sydney Autumn Carnival’s flagship feature once the final field has been released this morning.
Winx had been a dominant $1.60 favourite for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au before being announced a non-runner.
Waller could still saddle up the favourite in Preferment who is the winner of his last two starts in the Group 1 $1.5m Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 12 and in the Group 1 $1.5m The BMW (2400m) at Rosehill on March 26.
Also prominent in the betting will be last year’s winner Criterion and late entry The United States who put himself into contention with a win in the Group 1 $700,000 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on March 19.
