A decision has been made on Winx’s future, with champion trainer Chris Waller announcing the seven-year old mighty mare will continue racing in 2019.
In a statement made on his Twitter account on Friday, Waller said that in a discussion with connections as well as jockey Hugh Bowman, a decision had been made to carry on and postpone retirement.
Confirmed: Four-time Cox Plate winner Winx will return in 2019. Photo Credit: Ultimate Racing Photos.
“Following a discussion between the Owners, Hugh Bowman and myself in relation to Winx and her future racing career, it was been decided that she will race on in the Autumn and her preparation will again be treated as a race-by-race scenario” Waller said.
“She has nothing left to prove to us or her many followers and we are under no illusion that she is getting a little older, however, she is in excellent condition both physically and mentally and had she not pleased us in any area of her wellbeing or mental state she would have been retired immediately.”
The 22 time Group 1 winner is currently the $1.75 favourite with Ladbrokes for March’s $5 million All Star Mile at Flemington, but it’s unlikely we see Winx in Victoria again.
Instead, Waller thinks February’s $250,000 Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) is the goal.
“We will not commit to any races as yet but it would be logical to follow the path we have previously, commencing in the Apollo Stakes at Royal Randwick in February and if she did manage to get through a four-race preparation it would most likely culminate in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Randwick.
“I must stress to everyone that it shouldn’t be assumed she will be there, it will be a race by race assessment as it has always been, especially over the past two seasons when deciding whether to go towards a third Cox Plate, a second Queen Elizabeth or even a fourth Cox Plate as it was in her last start.” Waller said.
