Hugh Bowman is keen to see rain clouds roll into Melbourne before the weekend when he partners brilliant mare Winx in the Turnbull Stakes knowing the world sees her at her best with a bit of give in the track.
Winx is firing ahead of her Flemington debut in the 2017 Turnbull Stakes field on Saturday. Photo: Steve Hart.
Incredibly over a 30 start career to date that has produced 24 wins – 13 at elite level – for over $13.47 million in prize money, the Chris Waller-trained Winx has never raced at Flemington Racecourse.
She gets to add a win at Headquarters to her increasingly amazing record on Saturday chasing her 21st victory on the trot in the Group 1 $500,000 Turnbull Stakes (2000m).
“I think it’s the best track in Australia,” Bowman told Racing Victoria on Thursday speaking about Flemington.
“It’s a very fair racetrack and the best horse wins generally at Flemington most of the time so let’s hope that happens on the weekend.”
The dual Cox Plate champion, who will race next-up in the 2017 edition of the weight-for-age championship out to join Kingston Town on three victories, is already odds-on in Turnbull Stakes betting at Ladbrokes.com.au.
The six-year-old daughter of Street Cry is at a current quote of $1.16 to take out the Turnbull Stakes, likely defeating dual Group 1 winner at the track Humidor ($4.60) from the stables of Darren Weir in the quinella.
Winx had her final lead-up gallop at Flemington on the inside grass track on Thursday morning and was as relaxed as ever with Bowman, who is increasingly feeling the pressure to keep the fairy tale going, on her back.
“[Pressure] has been part of this process for quite some time, I daresay this is just another week with Winx,” the hoop told the media.
“This is a process that takes this course. It’s another stepping stone to the Cox Plate.
“I don’t really enjoy it — the attention is something I’ve become used to with her — I think what she is doing for our sport is such a wonderful thing.”
Bowman knows just how freakish a horse he is on when he rides Winx and never doubts she will get the job done, but admits a rock-hard track is the only thing she doesn’t like.
“I see a bit of cloud around here and hopefully we night get a shower of rain before the weekend,” he said.
“She doesn’t need it wet but she does enjoy it more with a bit of moisture in the ground.
“She just moves better and she’s much more comfortable and that’s when we see the best of her.”
Waller would never risk running the extraordinary racehorse on a Firm course, but Winx has shown her versatility on Good (22:18-2-0), Soft (5:3-1-0) and Heavy (3:3-0-0) going.
To back Winx in the Turnbull Stakes 2017 this Saturday and for access to the best all-in Ladbrokes Cox Plate betting markets head to Ladbrokes.com.au.
