Winx to face heavy track in George Ryder

Australia’s favourite race mare Winx is set to face another heavy track when she takes on a smart field in the Group 1 $1m China Horse Club George Ryder (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

Winx, above, will be facing another heavy track when she lines up in the George Ryder at Rosehill. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Winx, above, will be facing another heavy track when she lines up in the George Ryder at Rosehill. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

The Rosehill track was rated a heavy 10 on Friday morning after receiving 64.5mm of rain over the last seven days but racecourse manager Lindsay Murphy has no doubts that the ten race Golden Slipper meeting will go ahead.

“I don’t think the meeting is in any danger, there is a solid base to the track, there is no squelching, there is no water on the track, it would take a lot more rain to put us in any jeopardy,” Murphy told Racing.com on Thursday.

“We keep getting persistent showers, which we have had for 16 days now actually.

“It has been quite incredible, we had a bit of a break over last weekend, which was very well received, that is the only break we have.

“They are saying a 95 per cent chance of rain, it will hit more places more than others, so we may be a little bit lucky, they are saying between 10 and 20mm on both those days, we have a chance of picking that up.

“I think we will keep getting persistent showers.”

Winx is the short priced $1.18 favourite for the George Ryder as she chases her sixteenth straight win and twentieth overall, and has shown in the past her ability to handle all track conditions with two wins from two runs on the heavy.

The Street Cry mare collected her tenth Group 1 trophy last start when she ploughed through the mud to record a two lengths win over Lasqueti Spirit in the Group 1 $600,000 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on February 25 and trainer Chris Waller said that Winx has continued to please the stable in the lead up to the George Ryder.

“Very good. I was in two minds at the start of the week if we were to run at 1500m but pleased to stick to the decision of the 1500m plan,” Waller said.

“It will be a pretty tough test on a very heavy track.”

“So she is well. Her work has been faultless. Three weeks in between runs after a tough run on a heavy track last start looks to be ideal.”

Winx is dominating the betting for the George Ryder at Ladbrokes.com.au at $1.18 with the Team Hawkes trained Chautauqua the next in the market order at $7.50 ahead of Le Romain at $11 and Hauraki at $26.

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.