The spring racing season kicks off in style this Saturday at Royal Randwick with the Group 1 $1 million Winx Stakes (1400m), featuring a glittering field of elite gallopers led by Chris Waller’s reigning Cox Plate champion, Via Sistina.

Via Sistina winning the 2025 Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Photo: Bradley Photos.

The eight-year-old mare, a daughter of Fastnet Rock, returns as the $2.70 favourite with Ladbrokes, aiming to defend her Winx Stakes crown and launch her campaign toward a Ladbrokes Cox Plate title defence on October 25.

A proven performer both first-up and at Randwick, Via Sistina was last seen claiming her ninth Group 1 victory in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes on April 12, equalling the seasonal record for elite-level wins. With $12.8 million in earnings, she’s a weight-for-age marvel and a genuine chance to push her Group 1 tally into double digits.

Victory on Saturday would make her the first back-to-back Winx Stakes winner since the race’s namesake, Winx, completed a three-peat from 2016 to 2018. However, there are a few caveats. She was beaten first-up in February’s Apollo Stakes at this same track and trip, and her only previous run on a Heavy-rated surface saw her finish fifth, nearly seven lengths adrift in last year’s Makybe Diva Stakes.

With Randwick currently rated Heavy (10), Waller has flagged the possibility of scratching Via Sistina in favour of the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield next Saturday, should conditions not improve.

Waller’s dominance in the Winx Stakes is well documented, having won eight editions including the last two. In 2024, he trained the trifecta with Via Sistina edging out stablemates Zougotcha and Fangirl, the latter having won the race in 2023.

Fangirl, now seven, returns as a major threat. The Sebring mare boasts a 50% winning strike rate over the Randwick 1400m and resumes following her Queen Of The Turf Stakes triumph in April. She’s one of the best fresh horses in the field, having beaten Via Sistina in the Apollo earlier this year, but like her stablemate, she’s yet to prove herself on bottomless ground.

Another key contender is Gringotts, trained by Ciaron Maher and priced at $6. The six-year-old son of Per Incanto narrowly defeated Fangirl in the George Ryder Stakes in March and has since trialled impressively on a Heavy (8) at Gosford. His Doncaster run can be forgiven—he finished 11th but was less than two lengths off the winner in a blanket finish. With proven wet-track form and jockey Tommy Berry aboard, Gringotts is well placed to challenge.

Maher also saddles Light Infantry Man ($19), the Australian Cup winner resuming in a race short of his preferred distance but with class to feature.

The other single-figure chance is Aeliana ($8), the rising four-year-old mare who dominated the ATC Derby last autumn with a five-length demolition. She’s expected to improve over longer distances this prep but could surprise fresh, especially if the track remains testing.

Waller’s other runners include Lindermann ($35), drawn widest in barrier 14, and US import Full Count Felicia ($35), a lightly raced mare with upside but facing a steep class rise.

Bjorn Baker brings a trio of runners: Robusto ($15), winner of the Winter Challenge; War Eternal ($23), fresh off a Spring Preview win; and Arapaho ($26), the Sydney Cup hero resuming over a short trip but one who thrives in the wet.

The 2025 Winx Stakes is set to jump as Race 8 at 3:50pm (AEST) on Randwick’s 10-race card, promising a thrilling start to the spring with form, fitness, and footing all playing pivotal roles.

2025 Winx Stakes Field & Barriers

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

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