Super star mare Winx went through her gears without a hitch when she completed a gallop on the course proper before the first race at Randwick on Day One of The Championships today.

Winx, above winning the 2019 George Ryder Stakes, pleased jockey Hugh Bowman and trainer Chris Waller with a gallop at Randwick on Day One of The Championships. Photo by Steve Hart.

Winx, above winning the 2019 George Ryder Stakes, pleased jockey Hugh Bowman and trainer Chris Waller with a gallop at Randwick on Day One of The Championships. Photo by Steve Hart.

Winx is a $1.10 favourite at Ladbtokes.com.au to win her third Group 1 $4m Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Day Two of The Championships next Saturday and she pulled up better then her jockey Hugh Bowman who had a good blow after he dismounted from the champion mare.

“There is nothing really to report,” Bowman said.

“It was a very straight forward piece of work and I think she pulled up better than I did.”

“I will go and have a little rest before the first race.”

Trainer Chris Waller was happy with the way that Winx stretched out down the Randwick straight and is looking forward to next week as he puts the finishing touches on the champion mare before her final race day appearance in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

“It was just a matter of not letting the horse get away on us. Three weeks between runs, today is important. It helps settle the nerves, horse trainer strappers, everybody,” Waller said.

“I am not sure what time she ran but I said to Hugh she can have a nice workout, she will go through her gears and use herself. She looked pretty strong as she went past the post.”

“We will see what she has to do next week and try not to bugger it up in the next eight days.”

Winx is coming off a comfortable last start win in the Group 1 $1m George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on March 23 which took her Group 1 tally to twenty-four and her consecutive winning record to thirty-two.

Early betting for the 2019 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au: $1.10 Winx, $15 Happy Clapper, He’s Eminent, $17 Hartnell, $26 Danzdanzdance, $41 Shillelagh, $51 or better the rest.

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.