Winx made it 17 wins on the trot with yet another scintillating performance in the 2017 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Randwick this afternoon.
Winx did it again in the 2017 Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Photo by: Steve Hart
Hugh Bowman was happy to let Winx settle in the second half of the Queen Elizabeth Stakes field and she settled in a lovely rhythm, while Hartnell was placed right on the speed by James Doyle.
Doyle went for home on Hartnell a long way for home in an attempt to push the pressure on Winx, but the star mare was far too good for her rivals and she cruised up before racing away when asked for an extra effort by Bowman.
Bowman was typically calm under pressure on Winx and while he was impressed with the effort of the great mare, he did not believe that we saw the best of the daughter of Street Cry in the 2017 Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
“It was a bit of a sprint home and I don’t think that you see the best of her when it is that sort of race,” Bowman said.
“She is still good, she willed past them at the top of the straight and she let down, but when she gets in a high-pressure race like the Cox Plate last year is when you really see the best of her.
“What a supreme athlete she is and what an honour it is to be a part of this.
“I don’t hit her too often, but I wanted that supreme effort today in the grand final.
“When I gave her one she really extended again and I could fell the crowds love for her.
“She is the ultimate professional and I love her.”
Trainer Chris Waller was typically emotional following the victory of Winx in the 2017 Queen Elizabeth Stakes and he admitted that he was nervous wreck in the lead-up to the Group 1 event.
“She makes anything look perfect and she makes me look like a genius,” Waller said.
“Hughie does a great job and it should all be about Winx.
“Everywhere she goes people follow her and it is very humbling.
“It is indescribable really.
“She is doing great things.
“I think that it is the same every start.”
Hartnell was typically gallant in defeat and chased his great rival home for the seventh time during his racing career, while Sense Of Occasion backed up his Doncaster Mile placing with a third place finish in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
