Winx has faultless lead up to Apollo Stakes

Premiership winning trained Chris Waller is content that Winx has had a faultless preparation in the lead up to the Group 2 $250,000 The Star Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Glamour mare Winx, above, has had a faultless preparation in the lead up to the Apollo Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

Glamour mare Winx, above, has had a faultless preparation in the lead up to the Apollo Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

Winx completed her final bit of fast work at Rosehill this morning and Waller could not have been more happier with the way she pulled up.

“Very satisfied with this morning’s work,” Waller told Racing New South Wales News.

“(She’s) a bit stronger (and) a bit heavier but she’s come together very well and I couldn’t be happier with the way the preparation has gone.

“This preparation has been the best one she has had. Everything has just been faultless. There’s been no rushing to get her back.

“She hasn’t got to this status by fluking wins, simply she is a very good horse and that gives us confidence towards Saturday and hopefully continue that winning sequence a little longer.”

Winx will be chasing her fourteenth win in succession after being undefeated since winning the Group 3 $125,000 XXXX Sunshine Coast Guineas (1600m) at the Sunshine Coast during the 2015 Queensland Winter Carnival and along the way the champion mare has collected nine Group 1 trophies which include the 2015 and 2016 Group 1 $3m Cox Plates (2040m) at Moonee Valley.

The champion mare has barrier trialled twice for two thirds at Rosehill in her preparation for her 2017 Sydney Autumn Carnival debut in the Apollo Stakes and both Waller and regular rider Hugh Bowman were satisfied with her efforts.

Bowman said that he is starting to get excited again as Winx lines up for her fourteenth straight win but he likes to keep the game plan simple and give the champion mare every chance to produce her best.

“It’s certainly a high level of responsibility to do the right things by the horse but that’s exactly how I cope with it,” Bowman said.

“I think about her as the number one. Ultimately it’s up to her to perform all I can do is make sure she is in a position where she can do that. (I) just try to keep it simple and relay that message to myself.”

“It’s starting to become real, again. There is always an exciting build up to this mare running but up until yesterday when the final field was released I didn’t get too carried away.”

“I think she is really progressed since her last trial. She worked really nicely here on Tuesday morning in company. She had her main gallop then and this morning she wasn’t asked to do quite as much but I’m really pleased with how she is feeling.”

Bowman is certain to give Winx every chance from barrier two in the twelve horse Apollo Stakes field.

Waller has mapped out a four race Autumn Carnival program for Winx and after the Apollo Stakes she will run in the Group 1 $600,000 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on February 25 followed by the Group 1 $1m George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on March 18.

Winx’s final Autumn Carnival appearance will be on day two of ‘The Championships’ when she lines up in the Group 1 $4m Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on April 8.

Winx completely dominates the betting for the Apollo Stakes and is the $1.12 favourite at Ladbrokes.com.au well ahead of her nearest rival Hartnell at $9.50.

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.