Australia's pin-up horse Winx has finished sixth in her first trial back from a summer break.
Winx stepped out in the opening heat at the Rosehill barrier trials on Monday and pleased trainer Chris Waller as she cruised to the line under regular pilot Hugh Bowman to finish within two lengths of the winner Trapeze Artist.
The 900m was covered in 54.40 seconds.
"She was very calm and that was the most pleasing part. In the trial Hugh could have ridden her on a piece of cotton. She did everything right," Waller said.
"She's enjoying it. She's getting used to the fuss – the media and cameras. To me, reading a horse's body language, it shows she's very happy."
Winx is scheduled to have her next trial over 1000m at Rosehill on February 5 before returning to competition in the Group II Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on February 17.
During the spring, Winx extended her winning streak to 22, but it was not without some hairy moments.
Unseasonably firm tracks and slow starts almost resulted in the unthinkable for the daughter of Street Cry.
Bowman said that rain would be welcomed in Winx's upcoming campaign but doesn't expect any preferential treatment from track curators.
"I'm not saying she needs a wet track but I would certainly prefer if we could have a bit more moisture in it than last time," Bowman said.
"We had a really dry winter in Sydney and the result of that was firm tracks.
"I don't expect the tracks to be arranged to favour Winx. She'll run on whatever track is provided as the weather gods give us but it would be nice if it does rain leading up to her races.
"But this morning she was very relaxed. For me I don't really need to see her go fast, I know she's got the engine."
Waller indicated that a decision on Royal Ascot for Winx would be made following the mare's third-up run, the Group I George Ryder Stakes (1500m) on March 24.
