It may be the start of a new campaign but it was a case of same old Winx (Chris Waller/Hugh Bowman) in Sydney on Saturday as the brilliant mare dominated her rivals yet again.
The daughter of Street Cry, having her first start since April, was positioned in an uncontested second place by regular partner Bowman behind early leader Rebel Dane.
The exciting Winx
As the field straightened for home, it was clear Australia’s best racehorse was travelling strongest of all and the five-year-old took it up with a furlong and a half to run, powering clear to a three and a half length success.
The former Mark Johnston-trained Hartnell ran a fine second but was no match for Winx, who was recording her tenth consecutive win, with Rebel Dane holding on for third.
A large crowd turned up at Randwick to watch Winx in her highly-anticipated return to action and while most were applauding the win from half way down the straight, Chris Waller admitted to being nervous during the race.
“It is a relief,” Waller said.
“She is in for a massive preparation. We haven’t been too hard on her and she’s had a couple of soft trials so sometimes it’s hard to tell where they are.
“I thought she was ready but you don’t know until race day.”
Bowman added: “It’s hard not to get carried away with this mare. She really is something special. It’s just an honour to be on her back.
“Rebel Dane couldn’t take me far enough. I don’t think she’s been as quick under me as she was today when I let her go.
“Usually there are horses around me and I’ve got something to run down but today because I had the better of Rebel Dane at the 300 metres it was just me and her.
“When she let down, it was a special feeling and I’m looking forward to feeling it again.”
That next experience is likely to come in a fortnight, with Winx set to contest the Chelmsford Stakes, a Group 2 contest over a mile back at Randwick.
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