A short break from racing won’t affect Winx’s chances as she lines up for the first time in a month in the Group 1 $500,000 Colgate Optic White Stakes (George Main Stakes) (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Winx, above, will be having her first run for a month in the George Main Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
Trainer Chris Waller has no concerns about Winx’s fitness and the glamour mare looked in great order going through her paces at Rosehill on Wednesday morning.
With regular rider Hugh Bowman in the saddle, Winx galloped over 1000m on her own on the course proper and pleased both jockey and trainer as she chases her eleventh win in succession in the George Main Stakes.
“She didn’t do a lot this morning,” Bowman told a press conference at Rosehill.
“Basically breezed around and had a morning out and had a look around.
“I’m satisfied with where she’s at.
“She feels great. She feels very comfortable.”
Winx recorded her tenth win on the trot when she scored first up in the Group 2 $250,000 Warwick Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on August 20 but then missed a run when Waller scratched her from the Group 2 $250,000 Tattersalls Club Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on September 3 because of the heavy track.
Waller then kept Winx’s fitness levels up with an easy barrier trial barrier third over 1000m at Warwick Farm on September 9.
“The beauty of Winx is she is a very athletic horse,’’ Waller said.
“In human terms, she is very much a natural athlete.
“I’m happy with her. She has had that barrier trial (last Friday) which keeps her nerves settled and her fitness levels up without overtraining her.
“We take a very kind approach (to her training) and she seems to respond well.’’
Waller is aiming Winx towards defending her title in the Group 1 $3m Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 22 after a four and three quarter lengths demolition of a quality field in last year’s Weight For Age Championship.
After her run in the George Main Stakes, Winx will head to Melbourne for her final lead up to the Cox Plate in the Group 1 $600,000 Ladbrokes Caulfield Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on October 8.
The field for the George Main Stakes could be reduced to seven and possibly six runners if Winx’s stablemate Vanbrugh and the Kris Lees trained Le Romain head to Newcastle on Friday for the Group 3 $150,000 Australian Bloodstock Cameron Handicap (1350m) on the Beaumont track.
Lees said that Le Romain is almost a certain starter on his home track while Waller said that he would head to Newcastle with Vanbrugh if the track was not too rain affected.
Winx has drawn barrier six with Hugh Bowman in the saddle and she will start the short priced favourite again on Saturday with Ladbrokes.com.au who will have some great promotions for the George Main Stakes Race Day.
Early market order for the Colgate Optic White Stakes (George Main Stakes) at Ladbrokes.com.au: $1.16 Winx, $11 Tosen Stardom, Hauraki, $15 Le Romain, $26 It’s Somewhat, $101 Great Esteem, $126 Vanburgh, $201 Spiritjim.
