Chris Waller’s brilliant mare Winx was put through her paces in a simulated race at Royal Randwick on Apollo Stakes Day and showed she was on track for her much-awaited autumn return with a cruisy four length win.

The Saturday gallop after the third was specially organised by Racing NSW and the Australian Turf Club (ATC) after Waller opted not to run his superstar in the Group 2 $250,000 Apollo Stakes (1400m) due to the suspension of Hugh Bowman.

The mighty mare’s regular rider was on board for the rehearsal trial over 1200m at 2:35pm (AEDT), Bowman donning a helmet cam that gave punters an inside view on what it is like to ride the world’s best racehorse.

Winx raced against five companions in the gallop and it was an important part of the 15-time Group 1 winner’s preparation according to Waller.

“It’s an important stepping stone for her, we’re going to take her up to a mile first-up which will be no problem,” Waller said.

“The first run of the preparation is always the hardest.

“Today’s an important stepping stone ahead of two weeks’ time.”

Winx, who won the Apollo Stakes in both 2016 and 2017, will now resume on March 3 at Randwick in the Group 1 $600,000 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) where she also dually defends her title.

Among her rivals on Saturday were veteran stayer Who Shot Thebarman who heads towards yet another run in the Group 1 $2 million Sydney Cup (3200m) in April and the stable’s untapped Fastnet Rock filly Unforgotten who goes first-up in the newly upgraded Group 1 $500,000 Surround Stakes (1400m) on Chipping Norton Stakes Day.

“They are all there for their own benefit but to help Winx as well,” Waller said.

“She’s a filly with a very bright future.

“She’s running first-up in the Surround in two weeks’ time.”

Good out of the gates, Winx settled into fourth as the trial was led around by Mackintosh who ensured a good gallop setting a nice speed in front.

“It looked a pretty decent stroll,” Waller said of the pace post-trial.

Once the home turn approached, Bowman peeled three wide and on the straight Winx quickly went through her gears picking up the stablemates ahead of her with ease.

The crowd-drawer ripped away and extended to a four length win over the easing Mackintosh doing exactly as Waller had hoped.

“It was a good gallop, Hughie had to ask her at the 500m to ensure she’s in tune, which is what we wanted to see,” the master trainer said.

“She’s had a pretty solid trial today simulating a race so we won’t be panicking over the next two weeks.

“I think two weeks’ time we’ll have a horse ready to run a solid mile race as the public expect, they expect her to win each and every time.”

First-up last campaign Winx gave favourite backers and connections a scare when agitated during the Group 2 Warwick Stakes (1400m) taking every metre to defeat stablemate Foxplay.

“We saw what happened first-up last prep, if we can get some of that nervous energy through her and through you we’ll be ready to go,” Bowman said to Waller pre-trial on Saturday.

Before the race simulation, Winx officially trialled twice at Rosehill Gardens given a soft hit-out when sixth to Trapeze Artist over 900m on January 22 and then showing a little more when fifth to Redzel over 1000m on February 5.

All-in Chipping Norton Stakes betting at Ladbrokes.com.au already has Winx odds-on at $1.16 to salute again on way to the Group 1 $1 million George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on March 24 and possibly the Group 1 $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) on April 14 during ‘The Championships’.

Winx has not lost a race since her second to Gust Of Wind, who never won again, in the Group 1 ATC Oaks (2400m) nearly three years ago in April of 2011.

Success in the Chipping Norton Stakes will see the country’s highest-earning racehorse take her incredible winning streak to 23 on the trot and her Group 1 tally to 16, surpassing Black Caviar who she currently co-holds the record with.

To back Winx next race at the right autumn racing odds online head to Ladbrokes.com.au today.