Simply Breathtaking - Winx Hones In On Record Earnings

Mark Smith - Saturday October 7

Given credence to the fact that she travels even better the Melbourne way of going and getting to 2000 metres for the first time this prep, Winx was never out of a second gear in a breathtaking six and a half-length romp in Saturday's $500,000 Group I Seppelt Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington.

Settled back in fifth spot on the rails as the outsider Magicool carved out the early running, Winx sauntered up to the pack on the home turn. By that stage, her main rival Humidor was behind her and being ridden along.

When Bowman let the reins out a notch, Winx put the race to bed in a matter of strides as fans rose as one to give the champion daughter of Street Cry (IRE) a rousing reception at her first start on the Flemington track.

Advertisement

Lindsay Park's Irish import Ventura Storm (IRE) defeated Humidor by three-quarters of a length in the battle for second. (photo Grant Courtney)


It was the 21st consecutive win for the great mare, while advancing her overall record to 25 wins and 3 seconds from 31 starts with earnings of $13,777,925. 

The 6yo mare is rapidly honing down on the record earnings of $14,526,685 set by the triple Melbourne Cup heroine Makybe Diva.

With her 14th Group I success, Winx will take top spot should she win her third consecutive Cox Plate, which will be next start in three weeks time.

"She certainly enjoyed it (Flemington]," Bowman said.

"I got a clean break from the barriers and it was all pretty much smooth sailing from there.

"She's settled into Melbourne very comfortably. She's just a dream to be a part of, so uncomplicated and a dream to ride in a race.

"There's a lot of nervous energy that surrounds the mare now that she reaches the stage of history.

"Every time she goes onto the track now she is rewriting the history books and to be a part of that is a great honour.

"I've ridden around the world but nothing has quite prepared me for the ride this girl is taking me on.

"I just try and concentrate on my job and she does make it easy for me.

"It's hard to put into words, it's a real feeling thing as it is with every horse, but this mare is taking all of our lives to a new level."

Choked with emotion winning trainer Chris Waller barely managed, "Makes me feel pretty special, what a great horse.

 "She's very special."

"She was certainly comfortable with the pace today. She may not have been winning by big margins in Sydney but they were very different circumstances and I think one day she broke 32 seconds for the last 600 metres and over a mile that's pretty special.

"When she gets wound up and lets go she is pretty scintillating.

"There's no training manual for horses like Winx.

"She's got heavier every preparation, she keeps changing and keeps delivering.

"Last preparation she was 10 kilos heavier than the first Cox Plate and This preparation she's 10 kilos heavier than last time. Once she starts racing she holds her weight the whole prep.

"She's going as well as ever and we're in for a hell of a race in three weeks' time"

Bred by John Camilleri's Fairway Thoroughbreds, Winx was a $230,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Coolmore draft for Peter Tighe's Magic Bloodstock.

A half-sister to Group III Kindergarten Stakes winner El Divino, Winx is out of the Al Akbar mare Vegas Showgirl who has an unracd 3yo colt by Snitzel named Boulder Citythat was purchased for $2,300,000 out of the Segenhoe Stud draft by Gai Waterhouse Racing / J Blaxland at the 2016 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

Vegas Showgirl a yearling Snitzel filly and foaled a filly by Exceed And Excel on September 16. 

Advertisment
More Reading...
Breeding To Win - 2025 G1 Queensland Oaks
Unbeaten this preparation, Philia will be looking to emulate her half-sister Duais in winning the $1million Group I BRC Queensland Oaks (2200m) on Saturday, but a swarm of up and comers are nipping at her heels, so who are they?
Wootton Bassett 2YOs on the March
Wootton Bassett’s star Northern Hemisphere two year-old Albert Einstein has been ruled out of Royal Ascot with a sprained joint that will require a few weeks off, but the red hot sire added two more talented debut winning juvenile colts at The Curragh overnight.
Blueblood Import - American-Bred Jillaroo Records First Win
Purchased at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale by Ciaron Maher, the now 4yo mare Jillaroo (USA) (Curlin) initially started her racing career in the United States but after an Australian debut second at Caulfield in early May, recorded her maiden victory at Doomben.
Inglis Ready 2 Race Entries Open
Entries for the Inglis Ready2Race Sale – Australasia’s most progressive 2YO Sale – are now open.
A Passion That Lasts a Lifetime
A passion for pedigrees and thoroughbreds is often one that lasts a lifetime and so it has been for one of the co-breeders of Bravery, who contacted me this week following our earlier and very well read story on current 2YO star Cool Archie.
Third Stakes Success For Justify’s Spicy Martini
A winner of four from six, three at stakes level highlighted by the reschedule Group 3 Fred Best Classic (1350m), the Toby Edmonds & Stephen McLean trained Spicy Martini (Justify) will now head to the Group 1 Stradbroke with just 49.5kgs on her back – not bad for an $8,000 online yearling purchase!
Sires With Winners - Thursday June 5
Here is the full list of 36 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
New Winner for Bivouac
Godolphin have been  enjoying a winning run with their late season juveniles and it continued at Geelong on Thursday where Bivouac gelding Loving opened his account.
Frosty Girl impressive on debut
The Chris Waller-trained Frosty Girl made the perfect start to her career when coming from last to land the Asahi Super Dry Plate (1300m) on debut at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Randwick around the track with Clinton Payne on Saturday
Saturday saw the return of Australian racing’s pin-up girl Winx and after giving racegoers a genuine heart flutter, she duly delivered with one of her best ever wins at Randwick.