Winx’s George Main Stakes opposition dwindling

Winx’s opposition in the Group 1 $500,000 Colgate Optic White Stakes (George Main Stakes) (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday continues to dwindle with Le Romain and Tosen Stardom being announced non-runners.

Le Romain, above, won't be running against Winx in the George Main Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

Le Romain, above, won’t be running against Winx in the George Main Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

The Kris Lees trained Le Romain will take his place in the Group 3 $150,000 Australian Bloodstock Cameron Handicap (1350m) on the Beaumont track at Newcastle today and Japanese import Tosen Stardom will return to Darren Weir’s Victorian stables after injuring himself in the float on the way to Sydney.

“Le Romain will line up in the Cameron,” Lees said.

“He would be running only for second at Randwick (behind Winx). But it is definitely not going to be an easy task here.”

Luke Murrell from Australian Bloodstock who share in the ownership of Tosen Stardom said that the six year old will make a quick recovery from a cut on his leg he sustained in transit.

“He kicked out on the way to Sydney and has a bit of a cut on his leg. It’s nothing serious, but he’ll need a few stitches,” Murrell told G1X.com.au.

“We want to look after him. It’s a big spring ahead.

“It’s more precautionary than anything.”

Tosen Stardom has been nominated for the three major Melbourne Spring Carnival races, the Group 1 $3m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield, the Group 1 $3m Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley and the Group 1 $6m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.

Weir will be left with one runner at Randwick after he was forced to scratched Melbourne Cup hopeful Signoff from the Group 2 $200,000 Ascend Sales Trophies Hill Stakes (2000m).

Weir’s only runner at Randwick will be Steggler with Craig Williams in the saddle in $85,000 #Theraces BenchMark 84 Handicap (1600m).

Signoff sustained a minor leg injuries while working on the beach at Warrnambool and Weir decided to keep the seven year old home to recover in time to run in the Listed $120,000 Harry White Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on September 24.

“He has given his leg a whack, it doesn’t look like anything serious at this stage,” Weir said.

“There was still a bit of heat in his leg so we thought he can just stay at home and go around next week.”

Following the withdrawal of Tosen Stardom who was an $11 chance, the Chris Waller trained Winx has firmed in from $1.16 to be the $1.10 favourite for the George Main Stakes.

Winx will be attempting to win her eleventh race straight after kicking off her Cox Plate defence campaign with a first up win in the Group 2 $250,000 Warwick Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on August 20.

Market order for the Colgate Optic White Stakes (George Main Stakes) at Ladbrokes.com.au: $1.1o Winx, $9.50 Hauraki, $14 Le Romain, $26 It’s Somewhat, $101 Great Esteem, Vanburgh, $151 Spiritjim.

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.