Winx resumes with stellar Warwick Stakes romp
WINX was everything we thought it was and more when winning the Group 2 Warwick Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.
The Chris Waller-trained champion wasn’t expected to be beaten against mostly resuming stayers, but it produced an effortless display of galloping when winning in a time of 1:23.83 over the 1400m distance and 32.89 seconds for its last 600m.
Jockey Hugh Bowman positioned Winx ($1.30 at CrownBet) just off the back of Rebel Dane, but it was flat at the turn which left Bowman alone in front. He didn’t press the panic button, however, as he cuddled the 2015/2016 Horse of the Year before it let loose over the final furlong.
“It was easy,” Bowman said. “I don’t like getting carried away, it was a field full of stayers, but it’s hard not to get carried away with this mare. She’s something special and it’s an honour to be on her back.
“She’s fresh and well. She put herself there and relaxed beautifully.
“Rebel Dane couldn’t take her far enough.”
Bowman has now forged an unbreakable relationship with the five-year-old which Bowman wants to continue for as long as possible.
“I’m getting used to her, what can I say. Today because I had the better of Rebel Dane, it was simply me and her, but when she left down it was a special feeling and I want to feel it again,” Bowman said.
Champion trainer Chris Waller treated the Warwick Stakes as an Olympic heat before tackling the bigger spring carnival targets later in the year. Waller said Winx will have a couple more runs in Sydney before heading to Melbourne for an attempt at back-to-back Cox Plates.
“That’s the heat of the Olympics out of the way,” Waller said. “Her track works been great, trials have been adequate and her last week or so has been brilliant.
“A few more runs in Sydney before she takes on Melbourne.”
Despite being one of the best horses in the world, Waller doesn’t give Winx any special treatment and believes that’s the way it likes it.
“She’s just like one of the team,” he said. “Likes being left in her corner of the stable. She takes everything so seriously, knows how to switch on race day, makes me very proud.”
There was plenty of nervous energy on track at Randwick, which is something punters and racing fans will have to get used to as Winx continues its winning streak. Waller wishes the race was shorter because he knows once Winx hits the 300m mark, it’s game over.
“I know she’s going to be on the bridal till the 300 metre mark, but the last 300 metres is what we wait for,” Waller said. “I wish they could start at the 300 metres and just let them run.
“We have the confidence where we know she only has to turn up as her usual self and we’ll win.”
Winx has now firmed into $2.25 at Sportsbet.com.au for the 2016 Cox Plate and after what punters witnessed at Randwick on Saturday, that price looks like good value.
The John O’Shea-trained Hartnell made good ground to finish second with Rebel Dane holding on well for third.