Waller Hoping Winx Can Settle In 2015 Sunshine Coast Guineas

Trainer Chris Waller has confirmed that he will be instructing jockey Larry Cassidy to settle Winx in the second half of the field when she contests the 2015 Sunshine Coast Guineas at Caloundra tomorrow.

Winx has been an easing favourite in 2015 Sunshine Coast Guineas betting markets. Photo by: Steve Hart

Winx has been an easing favourite in 2015 Sunshine Coast Guineas betting markets. Photo by: Steve Hart

Winx was settled slightly closer to the speed when she finished second behind Gust Of Wind in the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) at Royal Randwick on April 11, but she was generally ridden as a backmarker during her 2015 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival campaign.

Cassidy would likely have to ride Winx aggressively to settle her close to the speed when she jumps from barrier 15 in the Sunshine Coast Guineas and Waller revealed that he did not want the Street Cry getting fired up as she builds towards the Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Eagle Farm on May 30.

“Obviously it is important to switch her off and get her to settle as she will be running over 2200 metres in two weeks times,” Waller said.

“It is good having the local jockeys on because they know the tracks and they know what you can and can’t do.

“She will be midfield with a bit of cover and a touch worse if we had too, which is how she has been ridden back in Sydney.

“She will pick them up pretty easily if she is not in a hopeless position turning from home.”

Waller has also sent Champagne Cath and Index Linked to the Sunshine Coast and the duo will contest the Parklands Tavern Fillies and Mares Handicap (1400m) and the Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m) respectively.

Index Linked has been well supported in Caloundra Cup betting markets and is set to start the race as favourite with Ladbrokes, but Waller revealed that he is yet to be convinced that the Dansili gelding is capable of running out a strong 2400 metres.

“We have stuck with the local rider again Damian Browne and you don’t get much better than him up there,” Waller said.

“He is suspect at the 2400 and let’s hope the track isn’t too bad.

“He has a beautiful gate, should be able to switch off and settle and we will see how he finishes off.”

Winx is currently available at 2015 Sunshine Coast Guineas odds of $4 and is an easing favourite with Ladbrokes from Worthy Cause ($5.50), Merion ($7), Abduction ($9) and Skylimit ($10).

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Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.