The 2015 Sunshine Coast Guineas nominations have been released and talented filly Winx has been included in the initial entries for the Group 3 event that will be held at Caloundra on Saturday.
Winx could make the trip to Queensland to contest the 2015 Sunshine Coast Guineas at Caloundra this weekend. Photo by: Steve Hart
Winx is set to make the trip to Brisbane for the Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) that will be held at Doomben on May 30, but trainer Chris Waller is yet to decide when the Street Cry filly will make his return to the races after he elected not to run him in the Listed Princess Stakes (2000m) at Doomben last weekend.
The three-year-old started her autumn campaign with an unlucky seventh in the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on February 14 and was slightly disappointing in the Group 2 Surround Stakes (1400m) at Warwick Farm on February 28 before she returned to her best form with a win in the Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 14.
Winx did not have any luck in running when she finished fifth behind Fenway in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 28 and she produced an impressive performance in the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) at Royal Randwick on April 11, but was unable to catch Gust Of Wind in the final stages of the race.
Another Sydney trainer that could have a runner in the 2015 Sunshine Coast Guineas is Gai Waterhouse, who has included Skylimit in the nominations for the race.
Skylimit made her racing debut with smart performance in the Schweppes Maiden Plate (1200m) at Canterbury on December 3 last year and she returned to racing with a third place finish behind Impulsive Spirit in the TAB Rewards Handicap (1200m) at Warwick Farm on April 15 before she was narrowly denied by Jumbo Prince in the Toowoomba Guineas (1625) on May 2.
One of the most interesting horses in 2015 Sunshine Coast Guineas nominations is Mike Moroney-trained Merion, who has been a consistent performer without winning at the highest level of racing.
Merion was not beaten by far in the Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on February 21 and the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at the same venue on March 7 before he failed to run out a strong 2000 metres in both the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 28 and the Group 3 Frank Packer Plate (2000m) at Royal Randwick on April 18.
Moroney is set to drop Merion back in trip for the 2015 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival and the O’Reilly gelding has been set for the Group 2 Queensland Guineas (1600m) at Doomben on June 6.
Abduction, Elusive Catch, Game Of Fame, Rhodin Drive, Right Or Wrong, Sambuca Shot, Ulmann and Worthy Cause have also been included in the 2015 Sunshine Coast Guineas nominations.
