winx draws wide in small George Ryder Stakes field

Cox Plate winner Winx has drawn out wide in a small George Ryder Stakes field at Rosehill on Saturday.

Winx has drawn barrier 7 in he George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill. Photo by Steve Hart.

Winx has drawn barrier 7 in he George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill. Photo by Steve Hart.

The 1500m $1m weight for age Group 1 race has only attracted eight final acceptors with Winx drawing one from the outside at barrier seven.

The Chris Waller trained Winx is lining up for her eighth win on the trot with Hugh Bowman sticking with the four times Group 1 winner.

The Street Cry mare proved to be the best weight for age horse in the country during the 2015 Melbourne Spring Carnival when she scored a runaway four and three quarter lengths win in the Group 1 $3m Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley.

Winx has continued to please the stable since resuming from a spell to win the Group 2 $250,000 Optus Business Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on February 13 and the Group 1 $600,000 Precise Air Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on February 27.

Waller reported that Winx is in top condition heading towards Saturday’s George Ryder Stakes and galloped brilliantly on Tuesday morning at Rosehill.

“Winx galloped over 1000m and recorded some good sectionals over the concluding stages,” Waller said.

“She certainly pleased (jockey) Hugh (Bowman), who was aboard.”

Waller will also saddle up last year’s Doncaster Mile winner Kermadec and his star three year old Press Statement in the George Ryder Stakes.

Hong Kong based jockey Zac Purton will fly in to ride Kermadec who will be having his second Autumn Carnival run after a first up third to Holler in the Group 1 $500,000 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Randwick on March 5.

Kermadec has drawn barrier six while Press Statement has drawn the rails with James McDonald booked to ride.

Press Statement, the winner of the Group 1 $1m BECK Caulfield Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield during the 20115 Melbourne Spring Carnival, resumed from a spell to win the Group 2 $400,000 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on February 20.

But his winning run came to an end when Bowman had trouble securing a clear run in the straight when second, as the short priced favourite, to Le Romain in the Group 1 $1m Girvan Waugh Randwick Guineas (1600m) at Randwick on March 5.

Group 1 winning Kiwi galloper Turn Me Loose has drawn the outside barrier with Opie Bosson to ride again after the pair combined to win the Group 1 $500,000 italktravel Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 27.

The John Thompson trained First Seal is looking to redeem herself in the George Ryder Stakes after going down as favourite when second to Holler in the Canterbury Stakes and will jump from barrier five with Blake Shinn in the saddle again.

Queensland mare Tinto has drawn barrier four with Craig Williams, Villiers Stakes winner Happy Clapper came up with barrier two with Brenton Avdulla and Adelaide galloper Hucklebuck with Dom Tourneur will jump from gate three.

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.