Flemington proved no problem for Winx as she cruised to an effortless victory in the 2017 Turnbull Stakes this afternoon.
Winx was her usual dominant self in the 2017 Turnbull Stakes Photo by: Ultimate Racing Photos
Winx once again got a long back in the early stages of the Turnbull Stakes and she only had a couple of horses behind her, while Magicool took up the running.
Jockey Hugh Bowman didn’t have to ask Winx for an extra effort and she cruised into the race without being touched before she ambled to the lead at the top of the straight.
The leading hoop finally asked Winx for an extra effort at the 200 metre mark and she quickly put multiple lengths on her rivals to record one of the most dominant victories of her racing career to date.
Bowman once again stressed just how grateful he is to have been associated with a horse with the exceptional ability of Winx and he believes that she is obviously ready for the 2017 Ladbrokes Cox Plate at The Valley in three weeks.
“She certainly enjoyed it,” Bowman said.
“Once she got a clean break from the barriers it was all pretty much smooth sailing from there.
“She has settled into Melbourne very comfortably and she is just a dream to be a part of.
“There is a lot of expectation and a lot of nervous energy that surrounds the mare now.
“Everytime she goes on to the track now she is re-writing the history books and to be apart of that is a great honour.
“She makes it easy for me.
“Judging on today she is ready to go (in the Ladbrokes Cox Plate).”
An emotional Chris Waller was clearly delighted to see Winx make her Flemington debut in such emphatic fashion in the Turnbull Stakes and he was almost lost for the words to describe the equine superstar.
Waller was always adamant that Winx was going just as well as ever during her 2017 Spring Racing Carnival campaign and he was pleased to see her prove that in the Turnbull Stakes.
“What a great horse,” Waller said.
“She is very special.
“It was a genuine tempo and she was comfortable at this tempo.
“She may not have won by big margins in Sydney, but they were under very different circumstances and one day she broke 32 seconds for the last 600 metres.
“When she gets wound up and she lets go it is pretty scintillating.
“Victorians love their sport and it is such a huge privilege to be a part of it.
“She is going to be very hard to beat.
“All of her wins have been very special, but we have the most utmost respect for Flemington and we have never wanted to admit that she hasn’t raced here.”
Ventura Storm looks right on track for the Caulfield Cup and he finished second behind Winx, while Humidor was able to battle home for third.
