Champion mare Winx officially began her quest for Cox Plate number three with an eye-catching barrier trial at Randwick on Monday.
With regular hoop Hugh Bowman in the saddle, the Chris Waller-trained superstar drifted back to settle last in the eight-horse field before building momentum in the straight.
Under a firm hold, Winx wound-up strongly to grab third place, beaten 1-1/2 lengths.
The trial was run on a good (4) course proper and stopped the clock at 53.70 seconds.
"It’s probably as good as she’s ever trialled in all honesty," Bowman said.
"She felt great. She’s in a really good frame of mind. Her action is exactly how it was as she left off last preparation."
Winx, which began a 17-race winning streak when taking out the Sunshine Coast Guineas in May 2015, is expected to trial again in a fortnight.
"The trial itself has gone well," Waller said. "It’s great to see her back in this shape and she looks to have a good preparation ahead.
"She’s finally developed into a mature racehorse. She’s as strong as you’ll ever see her.
"I really liked the way that she settled and quickened up the last 200 metres. To see her go through the line with plenty of running and plenty of authority was an eye-catching thing."
Waller has earmarked the Group II Warwick Stakes (1400m) at Randwick as Winx's first-up run this campaign before heading to the Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) on September 2 then the George Main Stakes (1600m) on September 16.
All going well, Winx then either stays in Sydney for the Craven Plate or heads to Melbourne for the Caulfield Stakes – both races are run over 2000m.
Winx's spring campaign is expected to culminate in the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on October 28.
Winx will be shooting for her third successive win in what is regarded as Australia's premier weight-for-age contest.
Victory in this year's Cox Plate would equal the record of Australian turf legend Kingston Town, which won the Cox Plate in 1980, 1981 and 1982.
Click here for a link to Winx's first spring hit-out at Randwick.
