Winx has gone for a holiday but next year she is likely tobe given the chance to race in the hoofprints of Frankel at Royal Ascot.
Chris Wallerhas ended a week of speculation by announcing the mighty mare who has won 22 consecutive races, including her third Cox Plate last Saturday, would be sent to the spelling paddock.
Waller had been mulling over whether she should race on to the Group I Emirates Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on November 11 but declared: "Winx needs a holiday, and we are not far behind."
Winx is likely to resume in the Sydney autumn and Waller has thrown down the gauntlet to all-comers, inviting the world's best horses to Australia to tangle with the champion mare.
However the big-picture plan is a trip to England where Waller indicated Winx's most likely target race was the Group I Queen Anne Stakes (1609m) next June.
It was the race where Frankel was a runaway winner by an astonishing 11 lengths in 2012.
"I think realistically we would be looking at a race like the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot, the race that Frankel won, over a straight mile which would be unchartered waters for Winx," Waller said.
"It is over a distance that we think we would see close to the best ofWinx.
"I'm a sporting tragic and that is what everyone wants to see – the best in every sport clashing.
"Racing is very aware of Winx and they are certainly welcome to come here in the meantime.
"The best know we are here, to take on the world's highest rated horse in the great country of Australia , there's plenty of good reasons to come to Australia not just the prizemoney.
"We are here ready to put up any challenge."
Waller has always taken a conservative approach with Winx and he indicated he didn't want to extend her preparation into a sixth start.
While Winx pulled up well after the Cox Plate, connections were mindful she had to stretch her neck to beatHumidorand they didn't want to go to the well once too often and push onto the Emirates.
"Winx needs a holiday and we are not far behind," Waller said.
"This has been her longest preparation she has been successful in five starts.
"We have never asked her for too much, we think now is the right time, based on her longevity.
"We are hoping this amazing story goes a little bit further.
"Right up until this morning she had a saddle on her back and she was exercising and she was ready to have a serious gallop tomorrow morning.
"She is still in great shape and that gives us the hope to say she can continue on her another 6-12 months.''
Winx's jockeyHugh Bowmanwill now ride Rosehill Guineas winnerGingernutsin the Emirates Stakes.
