The 2015 Theo Marks Stakes field has been released and Winx is set to return to the races in the Group 2 event at Rosehill Gardens this weekend.
Winx has been included in the 2015 Theo Marks Stakes field that was released this morning. Photo by: Daniel Costello
Winx made a slow start to his autumn campaign, but she returned to winning form with a strong victory in the Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 14 before she finished an unlucky fifth in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at the same venue on March 28.
The Street Cry mare started the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) at Royal Randwick on April 11 as a clear favourite, but she was upstaged by Gust Of Wind in the $1 million race.
Trainer Chris Waller elected to send Winx to Queensland for the 2015 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival and she recorded an eye-catching victory in the Group 3 Sunshine Coast Guineas (1600m) on May 16 before she romped home to score a dominant three and a half lengths victory in the Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Doomben on May 30.
Winx was expected to bet set for the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) during the 2015 Spring Racing Carnival, but she was not included in the first acceptances that were released yesterday and she instead remains in contention for the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Royal Randwick on October 3 and the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 24.
The talented mare will be joined in the 2015 Theo Marks Stakes field by stablemates Strawberry Boy and Heart Testa.
Strawberry Boy was set to return to the races in the Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) last year, but he was saved for the Theo Marks Stakes after wet weather hit Sydney last weekend.
The Redoute’s Choice gelding returned to his best form with wins in the Group 3 Lord Mayor’s Cup (1600m) and Listed Wayne Wilson Stakes (1600m) during the 2015 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival and could head to Melbourne for races like the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) and Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) in Melbourne.
Heart Testa will have a fitness edge over his stablemates after he finished fourth in the Group 3 Show County Quality (1200m) at Royal Randwick on August 22 and he is undefeated in two race starts over 1300 metres.
The Waller trio will not have things their own way in the 2015 Theo Marks Stakes field and the likes of Group 1 winner Famous Seamus, Team Hawkes-trained Messene, Queen Of The Turf Stakes winner Amanpour, the resuming Ninth Legion, Show County Quality winner Decision Time, Hawkesbury Cup winner Sons Of John and Team Corstens-trained Vezalay are also set to contest the Group 2 event.
