No Black Caviar-like service for Winx

Clinton Payne - Thursday August 31

Champion mare Winx will not be afforded any special treatment when she is loaded into the barriers chasing a 19th straight win in the Group II Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Advertisement

Racing NSW chief steward Marc Van Gestel said Winx will be in the third group of horses loaded into the gates as per the order of the barrier draw.

"Every horse on a level playing field," Van Gestel said. "There hasn't been an approach made by the stable and it wouldn't be approved if it was.

"Chris knows the rules and we're quite regimented in the way we police that rule here in Sydney."

It was in October 11 2011, when Victorian stewards took the unique action to move a known barrier rogue to a wider gate to protect champion galloper Black Caviar after they'd drawn side-by-side in the in the Schweppes Stakes on Cox Plate day.

When Winx resumed in the Warwick Stakes two weeks ago, her anxiety once loaded into the gates got the better of the champion mare and she reared as the barriers opened, missing the start by four lengths before recording one of her most memorable wins.

Since that run trainer Chris Waller has left no stone unturned, attempting to take Winx's enthusiasm for her work out of the equation.

Last week the mare to the barriers at Rosehill with a barrier blanket on for the first time but it didn't have the desired effect and on Saturday she will race in ear muffs for the first time in the hope that a reduction of sound will settle the champion once she has been loaded into the gates by the barrier attendants.

"It's the only time I'm nervous when I'm on her back in the barriers because she does have a tendency to be a little bit anxious," jockey Hugh Bowman said.

"I think it's a case of Winx being Winx.

"The reality is she's likely to be a little anxious in the barriers because she always is. It's just a case of me staying as relaxed as I can to help her stay as relaxed as she can.

"We tried the barrier blanket but the reality was it made little or no difference.

"She was no better, she was no worse, she was just the same as always.

"She knows it's game time (when she goes into the barriers), she's obviously very intelligent and just wants to get on with the job."

The loading process for Saturday's Group II Chelmsford Stakes will be to split the field of 12 into two groups of six. Horses in barriers one and seven will be loaded first and so on until barriers six and 12 are filled last.

"If you draw the inside you go in first, if you draw out wide you go in late," Van Gestel said.

"We think it's fair they load from inside to out, in two banks depending on the field size and it's been a consistent policy here since I've been stewarding."

Advertisment
More Reading...
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.
Unbeaten Run Continues For Ole Kirk’s Daughter Ole Dancer
Successful in the Magic Millions SA 2YO Classic at Murray Bridge on debut back in March, the Peter Moody and Katherine Colemen trained filly Ole Dancer resumed at Sandown on Saturday, winning the Senet Gambling Law Experts Handicap (1200m) to remain unbeaten.
St Mark’s Basilica Filly Impressive at Ascot
Due back at Coolmore Australia this spring, St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) had an impressive new winner overnight at Ascot in the UK where Princess Petrol stormed to victory.
Season Finale Flourish for So You Think
Coolmore stalwart So You Think is powering to the end of the Australian racing season with a five winner flurry on Saturday highlighted by a winning treble at Randwick led by his progressive mare Oh Diamond Lil.
One to Watch Wins Again in Saturday Class
The half-brother to Group II winner Stretan Angel, lightly raced three year-old Brutal gelding Glorious Moments was in a class of his own at Randwick on Saturday.
Exciting Farnan Colt Wins for Mulberry Racing
A standout in the mounting yard on type at Randwick on Saturday, Farnan colt Nashville Jack has also been an eye-catcher at the recent trials in Sydney and he delivered on potential when resuming from a spell with a stylish win.
Inglis Digital Now Online - G1 Winner Velocious the Star
The G1-winning Champion 2YO Velocious (Written Tycoon) has been joined by a host of outstanding racing and breeding prospects in a tantalising Inglis Digital July (Late) Online Sale catalogue.
Consecutive Black Type Victories For Snitzel Filly Bridal Waltz
Stepping up to open company is always a tough task, but 3yo Snitzel filly Bridal Waltz graduated from a last start Listed win over her own age to win the $200,000 Group 3 MRC Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
Winning Hat-Trick for Gold Standard 2YO
When an unheralded sire produces a Group I winner in their first crop as happened for Sebring stallion Gold Standard it can take a long time for the benefit of that early splash to take effect, but in his case the wait is nearly over and in the meantime Destiny’s Summit is a good reminder as to his merit.
Hello Youmzain Filly Wins NZ Last Stakes Race of Season
Talented juvenile filly Platinum Diamond made all posts a winner when she captured her second consecutive stakes victory in the last black type feature of the 2024-2025 racing season, the Listed Phils Electrical & Gypsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki.