Chris Waller’s superlative mare Winx is now the confirmed Group 1 record holder in Australia surpassing the 15 held by Black Caviar with her 16^th elite level success first-up in the Chipping Norton Stakes 2018.

Winx made history in the 2018 Chipping Norton Stakes saluting for a third straight year to become a record 16-time Group 1 winner in Australia. Photo: Steve Hart.

Continuing the fairy tale, the six-year-old daughter of Street Cry equalled the world Group 1 race record set by the great American champ John Henry and couldn’t have come back more impressively in the Group 1 $600,000 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m).

“It’s always a concern to see how horses come back,” Waller said with all the usual emotion creeping into his voice.

“To see her come back like this is pretty special.”

It was a flawless first-up performance from the mighty mare who left her rivals for dead in a barnstorming success by seven lengths and lengthening over Prized Icon (2^nd) and Classic Uniform (3^rd).

She was the last out of the gates as predicted pacemaker Stampede hit the front and jockey Hugh Bowman allowed his ace mount to settle back second last.

“I had a lovely run close to the rear of the field she just travelled so kindly,” Bowman said after guiding Winx to her incredible 23^rd straight win.

Relishing the cut out of the ground at Royal Randwick in her delayed first-up run, Winx enjoyed a third straight Chipping Norton Stakes success winning by her biggest margin since the 7.3 lengths she had to spare over runner-up Le Romain in last year’s Group 1 $1 million George Ryder Stakes (1500m).

She will race next-up in that same Golden Slipper Stakes Day feature at Rosehill Gardens on March 24, again dually defending her title and looking to edge ever closer to the 25 straight wins of Black Caviar.

“What she loves is the cut in the ground,” Bowman said.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better return to racing.”

Winx was still back second last at the 600m but was starting to creep into the race, cruising around the outside.

Bowman barely touched her until hitting the button 250m out, when the mare did the rest racing away for another historical turf triumph with incredible ease looking happier and more relaxed than ever.

Winx now boasts 14 wins from 18 starts at Randwick and is nine-from-10 over the mile.

Today’s Chipping Norton Stakes result also saw the country’s highest ever earning racehorse extend her prize money out to just shy of $16 million.

“She’s captured the imagination of Australia,” Waller said.

“It’s a great story.

“We’ve got a great horse and she’s come back so well.

“She knows her job and she enjoys her job.”

Following the George Ryder Stakes there is the option of a title defence in the Group 1 $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on April 14.

All-in Queen Elizabeth Stakes odds at Ladbrokes.com.au now have Winx at $1.25 and there is also the Royal Ascot option in England this June calling.

To back Winx next race at the right price head to Ladbrokes.com.au.

2018 Chipping Norton Stakes Results & Finishing Order

Randwick Race 6 – 03/03/2018