The latest chapter in the uncompleted Winx (by Street Cry) story was staged in Sydney on Saturday when the remarkable racemare took her place in the $600,000, Group 1, TAB Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m).
In the end, the result proved a mere formality, with an adoring Australian racing public only really needing to put yet another Group 1 romp into context.
For all intent and purposes, the story of the race could have virtually been written before barrier rise. Opposed by eight rivals which were never really ever going to test this phenomenal racehorse, Winx was ridden with supreme confidence by regular pilot Hugh Bowman and not for one split second taken out of her comfort zone before registering an exhilarating seven lengths success.
Winx and Hugh Bowman storming to the line, picture Sportpix.com.au
While it would be flippant to say that ‘daylight came second’, this renewal of the Chipping Norton was won a very, very long way from home. It was left to Prized Icon (by More Than Ready) and Classic Uniform (by Al Maher) to lead the remaining runners in the field home in what basically amounted to a completely different contest.
Winx was returned at a starting price of $1.09, the runner-up Prized Icon at $16.00, and minor placegetter Classic Uniform at $51.00. Official margins were seven lengths by half a length. Winning time was 1m34.92s (last 600m 35.41s).
Winning rider Hugh Bowman summed up the great mare’s general demeanour and winning performance by stating: “She has been filling me with confidence all preparation. She is at her most vulnerable early in her preparation over the shorter distances… Today at the 1600m, a nice genuinely run race, I had a lovely run close to the rear of the field but she just travelled so kindly.
“Her behaviour in the barriers suggests to me that she is a happy horse. That’s where I have always been a little concerned. She gets a little agitated, a little edgy, and she has shown those signs throughout her whole career really, but this preparation she hasn’t shown any of those signs so she might have finally matured.
“I wouldn’t say it was a vintage field that she has beaten here today, and that’s fair to say, it’s obvious, she’s beaten much better horses. Some of the horses here today are top-class horses but not at this distance.
“What she loves is that cut in the ground. {There were] A few question marks last prep; was she under par or not. My take on that, of the five runs she had, four were on firm tracks. They were rock hard, and she performed at a high level every time, but she is just not as comfortable.
“The one wet track she did have was at Flemington and we saw what she did there in the Turnbull. A little bit of cut here this afternoon and we couldn’t have asked for a better return to racing.”
Winning trainer Chris Waller seemed relieved that the mare’s first autumn assignment was over and that she’d come through the assignment appearing as unbeatable as ever.
“It’s always a concern to see how a horse has come back regardless of it is Winx,” said Waller. “To see her come back like this is pretty special. To get the adulation of Australia is a great story.
“Next week’s easy. After that it’s a bit harder. We’ve got a great horse and she’s come back so well. Her attitude is fantastic.
“She is better now than when she was a four year old. Not much has changed in the last 12 months. She knows it’s her job, she enjoys her job, she enjoys going home and being another horse.”
A genuine phenomenon that has basically rewritten the Australian Thoroughbred record books, Winx became the first domestic galloper to register 16 Group 1 victories. The magnitude of that achievement is probably best put into perspective by adding that the great Octagonal ‘only’ won 10 and his amazing son Lonhro ’just’ 11.
Furthermore, Tie The Knot, a four-time winner of the Chipping Norton Stakes no less, racked-up 13 Group 1 victories during his memorable career, and the almost imperious Kingston Town no fewer than 14.
And then there was Black Caviar of course, winner of as many as 15 races at the elite level.
After 33 starts, 27 wins and three seconds that have yielded $15,976,925 in earnings, Winx is now inarguably the best of the best based on her Group 1 haul alone.
Sixteen Group 1 victories is a figure that not only exceeds the admirable totals of all the aforementioned past legends, but one which will almost assuredly prove to be beyond every local racehorse of that rarefied ilk still to come.
Hugh Bowman brings Winz back along the stand rails to salute the 9,342 patrons on-course, picture Sportpix.com.au
What the beaten jockeys said:
Andrew Adkins (Classic Uniform): “Huge run. Ran third in a Group 1, that’s pretty good for him. I think he’s probably got a Group 1 up his sleeve. 2000m will be spot on for him.”
Tye Angland (Who Shot Thebarman): “I’m on a stayer, it took me a little bit to wind up. Just the way (Winx) pulls herself into it and put us away in half a stride. It’s incredible to be a part of.”
Brenton Avdulla (Libran): “He ran terrific, just wants ground.”
Glyn Schofield (Prized Icon): “He ran out of his skin. Outside of (Winx) he’s another Group 1 winner over a mile.”
Tim Clark (Stampede): “He ran well, he’ll be improved by the run.”
A Hyeronimus (Jemadar): “Surely the handicapper will have to drop him 10 points off that.”
Jay Ford (Lasqueti Spirit): “Disappointing. Her heart doesn’t seem to be in it anymore.”
Kerrin McEvoy (Vinland): “Didn’t settle.”
Chipping Norton Stakes, photo finish picture ATC
