Winx has had another poke around the Flemington track ahead of her debut at headquarters and trainer Chris Waller has assured punters the blue-ribbon mare has plenty left in the tank for the 2017 Turnbull Stakes.
Winx is relaxed at Flemington and ready to go in the Turnbull Stakes 2017 on Saturday. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
The outstanding daughter of Street Cry is one of seven hopefuls in the Group 1 $500,000 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) field this weekend and has just her fourth Victorian run in the lead-up to the Group 1 $3 million Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m).
Winx has won the past two editions of the Cox Plate and in 2017 is odds-on to repeat the three-peat record in the race set by Kingston Town (1980-82).
Last Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival the illustrious galloper defeated just two horses in the Group 1 $1 million Ladbrokes Caulfield Stakes (2000m) on way to her eight length annihilation of Hartnell in the Cox Plate.
This season Waller has his stable ace gracing Flemington Racecourse for the first time in a different lead-up via Saturday’s Turnbull Stakes.
She worked beautifully at Flemington on Monday morning showing she could handle the famous straight six, and was impressive again rounding out her preparations with a gallop on the steeple grass on Thursday morning.
Hugh Bowman was on his favourite racehorse for the work on the inside grass ahead of her shot at 21 straight wins on the weekend, impressing Waller to no end.
“She’s in great shape and ready to go,” Waller told the Herald Sun.
“Today was about keeping her relaxed and not going too fast to make sure there’s still plenty left in the tank.
“Hugh is happy with Winx and the good thing is that she seems more relaxed here at Flemington.
“It’s a natural environment for horses with a lot of space and she’s happy here.”
The top-rated mare in the world, Winx is at a short quote of $1.16 in the latest Turnbull Stakes odds at Ladbrokes.com.au.
The only foreseeable danger out to stop the six-year-old from posting her 14th Group 1 win is the Darren Weir-trained Humidor.
The Teofilo five-year-old occupies the second line of Turnbull Stakes betting at $4.60 and there’s been some money for the upset following his outstanding Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) win at Flemington last time out.
Humidor also took out the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) over the Turnbull Stakes track and distance in the autumn so is the genuine Flemington specialist in the race.
Bowman though is unfazed by the presence of Humidor, saying Winx was even more relaxed at Flemington than she was at Rosehill.
“Winx feels good this morning she’s settled into Melbourne nicely. She seems more relaxed than she was at home at Rosehill,” he said.
“She went through her paces, she had a nice morning out and we’re looking forward to Saturday.”
To get behind Winx to win the Turnbull Stakes 2017 at the right price head to Ladbrokes.com.au today.
