The Chris Waller trained horses, headed up by Winx, dominate the nominations for the 2019 Group 1 $1m The Agency George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
Winx, above, highlights the nominations for the 2019 George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill. Photo by Steve Hart.
The twenty-three nominations for the weight for age George Ryder Stakes includes Winx and eleven of her Waller trained stablemates, Prompt Response, Shillelagh, Unforgotten, Youngstar, Egg Tart, Life Less Ordinary, Mister Sea Wolf, My Nordic Hero, Kaonic, Lean Mean Machine, and Ringerdingding.
Newcastle trainer Kris Lees’s multiple Group 1 winner Le Roman and the Peter and Paul Snowden trained Land Of Plenty head the rest of the nominations.
Champion mare Winx is lining up for her thirty-second consecutive win and a twenty-fourth Group 1 victory and Waller was content with the way the show stopping mare strolled around Rosehill in between races last Saturday in preparation for a fourth straight win in the George Ryder Stakes.
“We’ve always done it when she’s had three weeks between runs,’’ Waller said
“With Winx we know the acceleration’s there and we know she’s come back very well and you’re just making sure that she’s safe and set for another couple of runs.’’
“She will have another gallop Tuesday and a media morning Thursday as per normal and just keep a nice, normal routine.”
Winx has been as impressive as ever in her two 2019 Sydney Autumn Carnival runs that saw a first up win in the Group 2 $250,000 The Star Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on February 16 followed by a stunning win in the Group 1 $600,000 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on March 2.
Waller has already announced retirement plans for Winx and the George Ryder Stakes will be her second last race track appearance before her swansong in the Group 1 $4m Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Day Two of The Championships on April 13.
As usual Winx is dominating the betting for the George Ryder Stakes and is marked as the $1.10 favourite at Ladbrokes.com.au way ahead of her nearest rival Le Romain at $13 while Land Of Plenty is listed at $26.
Early betting for the 2019 George Ryder Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au: $1.10 Winx, $13 Le Romain, $26 Land Of Plenty, $31 Dreamforce, Ringerdingding, $51 Brutal, He’s Eminent, Shillelagh, $67 Egg Tart, Lean Mean Machine, Unforgotten, Youngstar, $101 or better the rest.
