Waller announces Winx’s next target

Clinton Payne - Thursday September 21

Champion trainer Chris Waller has chosen the next start for superstar galloper Winx with the race sure to prove a massive surprise to many.

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Winx wins the George Main Stakes last Saturday. Photo: Steve Hart.

The daughter of Street Cry is likely to make her debut at Flemington on October 7.

"After giving careful consideration to her current racing campaign it is likely her next run will be at Flemington on October 7 in the G1 (Group I) Seppelt Turnbull Stakes (2000m)," Waller said in a release.

"The sole reason for running here as the most likely option is simply based on the timing of the current program which will provide her with three weeks between runs from the George Main to the Turnbull and another three weeks into the Cox Plate for her fifth run of the campaign.

"Whilst this is her intended path, if she was not to run in the Turnbull it would be my intentions to run in the Craven Plate on October 14 at Royal Randwick before heading to Melbourne in preparation for the Ladbrokes Cox Plate."

Winx would carry 57kg in the Turnbull Stakes under the set weights and penalties conditions.

The trainer also revealed he will remove the ear muffs from Winx in her next start.

"As has always been the case, I will continue to be guided by the horse and what I feel is best for her when planning her racing preparations," he said.

Waller said he is "extremely pleased with the way Winx has pulled up" off her 20th consecutive win in the George Main Stakes last Saturday at Randwick.

"I could not be happier with her recovery since the run and she continues to maintain her weight approximately 10kg heavier than what she was when winning the 2016 Cox Plate," he said.

"All bodes well heading towards the 2017 Ladbrokes Cox Plate."

Meanwhile, Waller also confirmed Winx could have a three run European campaign after next year's Sydney autumn carnival.

"Providing she is well she will either run during The Championships in the G1 (Group I) Queen Elizabeth Stakes and look to target a race during the Royal Ascot carnival or be freshened up subsequent to the George Ryder Stakes and be targeted towards a European campaign containing three races over a range of distances," he said.

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