Star mare Winx produced another explosive turn-of-foot to record a remarkable victory in the 2015 Theo Marks Stakes at Rosehill Gardens this afternoon.
Winx showed an exceptional turn-of-foot to record a most impressive win in the 2015 Theo Marks Stakes. Photo by: Steve Hart
Winx was settled towards the tail of the field by jockey James McDonald in the early stages of the Theo Marks Stakes and the daughter of Street Cry mare was almost ten lengths off the leaders when she was checked badly at the top of the straight.
It looked as though Sons Of John and Ninth Legion would fight out the finish, but Winx leapt out of the ground when she got to the outside in the final 200 metres and she produced an amazing closing sectional to produce another unbelievable victory.
McDonald admitted that Winx had got into a bit of trouble coming around the bend in the Theo Marks Stakes, but he was absolutely delighted that she had been able to overcome her transit issues and record an astonishing win.
“She took a bit to get going and I just let her flop out and gather momentum,” McDonald said.
“She is a serious racehorse and serious racehorses can overcome problems, which is what she has done today.
“I can take no credit for this horse.”
Winx showed that she was capable of producing an explosive finish when she took out the Group 3 Sunshine Coast Guineas (1600m) at Caloundra in May and Waller said that run gave him the confidence that the three-year-old could settle at the tail of the field in the Theo Marks Stakes.
Waller is confident that Winx is in for a big 2015 Spring Racing Carnival campaign and he confirmed that she would have her next race start in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Royal Randwick on October 3.
“It is impressive to watch,” Waller said.
“We are still learning about her.
“We learnt quite a bit from her recent run in Queensland, not the Oaks, but the Sunshine Coast Guineas and the way that she unleashed her run that day.
“That gave me the confidence to come back today and try to get in from the wide gate.
“Only good horses can do that, she is very special and I think she is in for a big year.
“She will press on to the Epsom now and that looks like a nice race for her.”
Sons Of John produced the best performance of his racing career to date to finish a very close second, while Ninth Legion was typically brave in third.
