Winx made it 11 wins on the trot with an effortless victory in the 2016 George Main Stakes at Royal Randwick this afternoon.
Winx made it 11 wins on the trot with an impressive victory in the 2016 George Main Stakes at Royal Randwick this afternoon. Photo by: Steve Hart
Winx was slightly slow out of the gates and jockey Hugh Bowman elected to settle the star mare in the second half of the field before she tracked into the race coming around the turn.
The daughter of Street Cry strode to the lead without being asked for an effort by Bowman and she put away a gallant Hauraki in the final stages of the race to record her seventh Group 1 victory in George Main Stakes.
Bowman rode Winx with typical confidence, but he was quick to point out that the star mare will now face stiffer competition as she heads to Melbourne for the defence of her Cox Plate title.
“It is a very special ride for us all involved in her,” Bowman said.
“She is going to meet better horses now, but we are in no illusions.
“We just saw Hartnell win here 40 minutes to go and he put a margin on his horses.
“She has beaten inferior opposition here today and there is going to be nowhere to hide when we get to Melbourne.
“She has come through it well today, she has had a good blow and she has felt the run.
“I am just looking forward to Melbourne now.”
Waller admitted that he was slightly concerned when Winx missed the start in the George Main Stakes and settled at the tail of the field, but he was simply delighted to see his star mare get the job done once again.
The leading trainer confirmed that Winx would have her next race start in the Group 1 Ladbrokes Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on October 8 before she contests the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 22.
“It is a big team that is now involved with her and we all feel it come raceday,” Waller said.
“There is nothing like that winning feeling and it lets everything settle down before the next two weeks.
“It is a huge privilege and it has taught me a lot about the way to approach racing.
“It was similar to the Doncaster and Hugh said before the race that he just wanted to let her relax because that is where she likes to be.
“Today’s win wasn’t a gap job, but it was intended to be either.
“She has had four weeks between runs and we just need to know where she is plus we need to win heading towards the bigger targets.
“The Caulfield Stakes has always been the original plan and nothing has changed.
“You always look at other races, but it looks to fit in nicely and it gives her a run over 2000 metres on the left leg.”
Hauraki produced another gallant performance to finish and there was a gap back to It’s Somewhat in third.
