Winx to bypass Emirates Stakes
Triple Cox Plate winner Winx’s spring carnival is over with the mare to have a spell.
After a record-equalling third Cox Plate win and another undefeated spring, champion Winx has earned a break.
Winx will not be seen again this spring with her owners and trainer Chris Waller opting to send her for a spell with the Sydney autumn carnival and Royal Ascot on the horizon.
Winx joined Kingston Town as the only other three-time Cox Plate winner with her victory last Saturday at Moonee Valley to extend her winning streak to 22.
It was her 15th Group One win, equalling Black Caviar’s Australian record.
Waller had left the option open to run in the Group One Emirates Stakes on the final day of the Melbourne Cup carnival on Saturday week but called a media conference on Friday to announce she had earned a rest.
“We have considered everything and we’ve come up with the decision that we think it’s time now for her to have a break,” Waller said.
“She has done a great job and she means so much to all of us, as she does to all of her fans and that’s now something that we are considering and we see her importance in sport. We also see her importance as a horse.
“This has been her longest preparation. She’s been successful, fortunately, in five starts.
“We think she’s still going very well but we’ve never asked her for too much. So we think now’s the right time to give her a break based on her and her longevity.
“Certainly the way she has come through her most recent race gave us the excitement to think that we could go further.
“But weighing everything up, she doesn’t owe us anything.
Waller said plans for Winx’s next campaign had been briefly discussed but they would take one race at a time.
He said they would not make a decision on an overseas campaign until next preparation.
“We won’t come to a decision until at least the autumn of Australian racing, which would be around mid to the end of March,” he said.
“We’ll make a decision then, based on her form and wellbeing, whether she gets on that plane.
“We’ve got to remember that racing is a big sport and racing is very aware of Winx. And they’re certainly welcome to come here in the meantime.”