Winx’s little brother goes to Kindergarten
While Winx is the undoubted star of the first day of The Championships, the early focus will be on her younger sibling at Randwick.
El Divino runs in the opening race on Saturday’s program, the Kindergarten Stakes, attempting to add the Group Three race to his maiden win at Gosford.
The two-year-old by Snitzel is trained by Gai Waterhouse for the colt’s breeder John Camilleri while his elder Street Cry sister went through the sale ring and to Chris Waller’s stable.
El Divino led all the way on debut in a metropolitan-class maiden at Gosford last month to win the 1000m race by almost five lengths on a heavy track.
Randwick is expected to be in the soft range and although Waterhouse admits it is a big step, she is confident he will handle the occasion.
“This is a race he could easily win,” Waterhouse said on Gai TV.
“He has an abundance of ability and is coming off a win. I think he is a very good winning chance.”
Silver Slipper Astern is the $2.40 favourite just ahead of El Divino at $2.80.
Winx, the Cox Plate champion and $1.80 favourite for Saturday’s $3 million Doncaster Mile, and El Divino are the only two of five foals out of dual New Zealand stakeswinner Vegas Showgirl to race.