Win in perfect order for Turnbull
Champion racehorse Winx is picture perfect for her defence of the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington.
Trainer Chris Waller says Winx is in perfect order mentally and physically as she prepares to chase her 28th consecutive win and 21st Group One victory in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington.
The champion has had a maintenance gallop at Flemington on Thursday morning ahead of Saturday’s Turnbull, a race she won by 6-1/2-lengths last year.
Winx has nine rivals in the Turnbull and Waller says it will take a champion to beat her in what is likely to be her last appearance at Melbourne’s premier track.
“Mentally she’s perfect and physically she’s picture perfect,” Waller told reporters.
“We take photos of our horses every Monday, 52 weeks of the year and we compared it to her photo last year and if anything her coat is a little more advanced.
“She’s shining and ready to perform.”
Winx is the short-priced favourite to continue her winning streak in Saturday’s 2000m-race, her lead-up to her shot at an unprecedented fourth Cox Plate win at Moonee Valley later this month.
Waller said he had not yet had a good look at the Turnbull field but, as always, was concentrating on getting Winx there in the best order possible.
“She hasn’t got the world’s best rating for nothing but we just need to make sure that she stays the same and she’ll hold that rating,” Waller said.
“So it will only take a champion to beat her, or a day where she’s no longer as dominant as she has been. But there’s certainly been no signs of that.
“Luck in running is always a big part and we have respect for other runners and other jockeys, so we’ll go into the race preparing that way and hopefully she does the rest.”
Jockey Hugh Bowman said Winx was relaxed on the inside grass at Flemington on Thursday morning while he was excited by her work on the course proper on Monday.
Winx is the $1.15 favourite and Bowman is happy with barrier eight.
“I haven’t had an in-depth view of the field but obviously I’ve glanced over it,” Bowman said.
“I would like to think she would have their measure, obviously.”