Beginning the new season where she left off the last, the
indomitable Winx extended her winning streak to ten with a walk in the park in
Saturday's $250,000 Group II Warwick Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.
Under a stranglehold by Hugh Bowman, Winx ambled up the Randwick
rise while seven over matched opponents were left trailing in her wake to fight
out the minor placings.(photos Lisa Grimm)
Godolphin's import Hartnell (GB) came closest at a safe
three and a half lengths with early leader Rebel Dane hanging on for third.
In earning her 12th stakes success Winx advances
her overall record to 14 wins and 3 seconds from 20 starts with earnings of $6,830,425.
The 5yo daughter of Street Cry (IRE) was making her first
start since the Group 1 Doncaster Mile after which she had a bone chip removed
from a fetlock..
"That is the heats of the Olympics over and done with
and we just have the semi-final and final to come," Waller said.
"Her trackwork has been great, trials have been
adequate and she has been brilliant the last week or so.
"I am pleased we chose Sydney to resume that's her home
and there are a few more runs to come in Sydney before she takes on Melbourne."
Winx is likely to make her next start in the Group II
Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on September 3 before the Group I George
Main Stakes (1600m) a fortnight later.
Bowman said it could well have been the super mares easiest
win.
"Wow, what can I say?"
"She seems to be stronger and judging by that win
there's another good prep ahead of her.
"I didn't think a slow pace would suit her and I was
concerned being first-up if I put her up and rode her like I did in the George
Ryder that she might travel a bit too well but she didn't.
"It was nothing more than a track gallop for her."
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.
The dam of Winx, Vegas Showgirl was bought for $455,000 at
the 2008 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale by Colm Santry Bloodstock for
Fairway Thoroughbreds.
The daughter of Al Akbar is not solely relying on the likely
Horse Of The Year.
Her three-year-old son El Divino (Snippets) shapes as a
major player in sprints this season
after winning his only two starts last term including the Group III Kindergarten
Stakes.
Vegas Showgirl has an unnamed 2yo colt by Snitzel. She
missed to the Arrowfield stallion in 2014 before being covered by him again
last spring