Superstar mare Winx, trained by veteran Chris Waller was taken on a reconnaissance mission at Caufield on Wednesday Morning, and from all reports the five-year-old handled it beautifully.
Waller labelled it a ‘look and see’ mission for Winx, who has recently been inserted as the $1.50 favourite for the $600,000 Caufield Stakes this weekend.
Despite all of Winx’s success over her career, it will be the horse’s first race at the Caufield track, and Waller talked about the reconnaissance mission making all the difference when she lines up for the big race.
“It might make a five per cent difference but that’s an important five per cent which could make all the difference,” Waller said.
“It’s about giving the horse a trip away from home base at Flemington. It wasn’t a work out for fitness it was simply getting used to the surroundings and it might take away a few of the butterflies for a big race.”
Winx, ridden by jockey Hugh Bowman ran for over 1000 metres during the mission alongside three-year-old Foxplay who galloped well behind Winx.
Aiming to extend her unbeaten run to 12 races, Winx has scared off some of the other competitors for the Caufield Stakes due to her form and undeniable favouritism.
While the Caufield Stakes are talked about as a major lead=up race to the Cox Plate, the field has been cut to just three contenders with Winx going up against Black Heart Bart and He Or She.
Other horses who have decided not to run after nominating include Lucia Valentina, The United States and Gallante, the later two of who are on the nominated list for the Melbourne Cup.
Waller said the small field doesn’t worry him though.
“It makes it easier in terms of interference, there is always an element of luck involved with racing but it will be a quality field,” Waller said.
“The horses that are there deserve to be, it shouldn’t really affect her though, pace wise, fast or slow she is adaptable so I’m not too concerned.”
Since 2000, six favourites for the Caufield Stakes have ran out winners, and Winx will be looking to continue that this weekend.
The Caufield Stakes will be ran on Saturday, October 8 starting at 3:55pm (AEST).
Have you ever tried your skills in a Racing daily fantasy competition? Put your best picks to the test for one day and see if you can scoop the pot with Draftstars. Looking for great odds on racing and sport? PlayUp is your best bet. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
Without a Fight completed the rare Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup double on Tuesday as star jockey Mark Zahra went back-to-back in the big one after…
The race that stops the nation is upon us again. Every horse in the Melbourne Cup has reasons they can win, and reasons they…
Those who want to have a really big collect on Australia’s greatest race, without risking too much, have to look at the exotic bets.
While most of the attention is on Ciaron Maher and David Eustace's Gold Trip, there's no reason why stablemate Future History cannot upstage him.
Champion jockey Damien Oliver is quietly confident his Melbourne Cup mount Alenquer will be passed fit to give him a farewell ride in the…
Melbourne Cup day is here again, and it’s never anything less than exciting. The Cup itself will of course be full of drama and…
