Champion trainer Chris Waller is adamant star mare Winx is ready to produce another blockbuster performance in Saturday's Group I George Main Stakes at Randwick.
Photo: Steve Hart
Winx has needed to call on all reserves to maintain her unbeaten streak in two runs this preparation after things haven't gone to plan.
The six-year-old hopelessly missed the start by four-lengths first-up in Warwick Stakes while last start in the Chelmsford Stakes Gerald Ryan's Red Excitement produced a career defining performance when pinching a six-length break into the straight, forcing Winx to unveil her blinding turn of foot to get the job done on both occasions.
Winx stepped out for her final gallop under Hugh Bowman at Rosehill on Thursday morning ahead of Saturday's $500,000 Group I feature and Waller couldn't be more pleased.
" We are happy with the way she has come through her races which is what a trainer is looking for mainly, and she has kept her winning sequence going which is important for all the racegoers and the public that are following her now," Waller said.
"I am very happy with the way she has prepared going into Saturday's race.
"It is very hard to quantify but with any horse the first signs we are looking at is their well-being after the race. She's really well, she's certainly very bright and bouncing. I don't think her runs have been over-taxing.
"It has always been the plan to go ahead with the George Main. Obviously, it's a race that she won last year.
"It's in our backyard and it's the first Group I of the Sydney season so they're important races to make sure that she's at that Group I level again, which I'm sure she is."
Bowman was of the opinion Winx's demeanour had changed since her first two starts back.
"She's in great order, very strong this morning," Bowman said.
"I worked her here on Tuesday morning as well. She did a little bit more on Tuesday. She seems to be more relaxed to me now that she is towards the middle of her preparation which is encouraging.
"I couldn't be happier with her."
Although Winx's victories this time around have only been by narrow margins, they have been no less impressive according to Bowman.
"I don't think she could have done much more than what she's been doing," he said.
"I think the track conditions have been different then what she is used to racing on so, she is certainly covering all bases."
The great mare has drawn barrier one in the eight horse field.
"It's good to draw well in these big races, it means she'll get a lovely run and get cover which is always important at this time of year," Waller said.
"I think what we are all learning is that regardless of the situation she as equally as effective and that makes Winx who she is.
"She's not unstoppable but she's a very good racehorse."
Winx stifles betting at $1.10 to extend her winning streak to 20, while Pat Webster's Happy Clapper is second pick in the market at $13.
