A dramatic finish has seen Winx narrowly win an eighteenth consecutive race at the Warwick Stakes.
Superstar mare Winx returns to the track for the first time since April in search of an incredible 18th consecutive win as we line up for the 2017 Warwick Stakes at Randwick. Catch all the live race updates and results on The Roar from 3pm (AEST).
The six-year-old will line up in a short eight-horse field for the 1,400-metre gallop as she looks to extend the streak.
Winx comes in as defending champion as well, having cruised to a very comfortable three-and-a-half length win over Hartnell this time last year.
Trainer Chris Waller says that his star runner is in the shape of her career after a strong preparation.
“She’s exactly where we want her to be,” said Waller.
“Each preparation has been a little bit different and quite remarkably she seems to be getting a little bit bigger and stronger.”
Winx is one of three runners for Waller in the Stakes today, including one of Waller’s more consistent mare’s in Foxplay, who found good success through the Autumn.
A blistering finish at her last-start Coolmore Stakes on this same track in April was enough to take a handy half million purse with a win over Zanbagh by a long neck.
Foxplay is shaping up to be the strongest challenge to Winx but it will be a mountain of a task to stop the heavy favourite who comes in at a pretty ridiculous $1.08 for the win.
Winx’s last start win at the Queen Elizabeth Stakes back in April with by a touch over five lengths back to perennial bridesmaid Hartnell.
She’s setting up for a historic third tilt at the Cox Plate later in the Spring.
Inference is coming into the Stakes off some undulating form through the Autumn and will be ridden by Tommy Berry today.
A win at the Randwick Guineas and a second-place finish at the Rosehill Guineas had him in good stead before a disappointing sixth place in the Group 1 Australian Derby finished the season.
He has plenty of potential leading into the Spring Carnival and Berry has ridden him well in the past so look to Inference for a best of the rest finish today.
Antonio Giuseppe is the third and final of the Waller pack, but the kiwi gelding will need to do some improving I think to make a mark on this one.
After an impressive four-race winning streak through the handicaps at the start of last season, he took the step up into Group 1 territory, taking on the Doncaster Mile in his last start.
Unfortunately though, Berry could only ride him to a distant 12th, finishing 10 lengths back of winner It’s Somewhat.
Harpers Choice and the Gai Waterhouse-trained Ecuador are outside favourites to snag a place finish, with the later looking particularly strong off his last prep but fizzled out towards the end of the season.
Recently appointed head trainer of Godolphin, James Cummings, also has a runner in the mix, however, carrying 59kg and having never won at under 1,600 metres, Allergic is looking like a very outside chance.
Prediction
Come on, is anyone really going to challenge Winx on this one?
She’s averaged a ridiculous five-length an over winning margin from her last five wins and with a short field and no real contenders, that trend could very well continue.
The battle for places could be a hotter contest with Waller looking to take out a monopoly on the purse.
Foxplay looks the goods to take out a place but will be in a fight with Inference who I’ve liked the look of over the past season.
1. Winx
2. Inference
3. Foxplay
4. Harper’s Choice
Connor Bennett
Editor
It's certainly a workout on the fingers my friend!
michael steel
Guest
That's a good post on the run Connor. Quite amazing really.
Johnybulldog
Guest
Wow!
Connor Bennett
Editor
Connor Bennett
Editor
Take a breath ladies and gentlemen what a finish that was!! Winx just didn't jump when the barriers dropped and she was at least four lengths back straight away. Even around the turn and into the final straight she was a far way back and Bowman was leaving it late to jump... the streak looked all but over. I thought it was done as Foxplay and Ecuador did battle up front but Bowman kicked her into gear and pinned the ears back. An incredible final 200 metres saw her go from dead last, push around the outside line and pip Foxplay at the post by a nose. Incredible race. 18 wins in a row.
Connor Bennett
Editor
Connor Bennett
Editor
2017 WARWICK STAKES RESULTS: 1. Winx 2. Foxplay 3. Ecuador 4. Red Excitement
Connor Bennett
Editor
2017 WARWICK STAKES The barriers drop... and we're off!! Winx doesn't jump!! What's going on here!?! Winx has faltered at the start and is very, very late out of the barrier, she's about 4 lengths behind the second last runner straight away. What drama!! Ecuador leads the way along the back with a nice start closely followed by the rest of the pack, Foxplay positioning well. Winx ettling last by six lengths with Ecuador leading as they come around the back. Still hanging at the back with 800 to go and Ecuador is holding strong but can the legs hold on? Winx really struggling here!! Foxplay making a move up the fence past Ecuador on the inside!! WINX COULD LOSE THIS ONE!! Ecuador fighting valiantly but Foxplay is punching past on the inside and the secondary Waller runner might have it!! Winx shuffles to the outside at the back... 500 metres to go. Jockey Hugh Bowman kicking into gear for Winx but all the action is at the front where Foxplay has taken past Ecuador inside the final few hundred metres, this is a superb run from him. Winx kicking on at the back, making up lost ground from that horror start. She is flying now!! Surely not!? Closing in on the leaders... Foxplay closing in on the post. THIS IS HUGE!! WINX CLOSING IN... FOXPLAY HANGING ON... AT THE POST... WINX HAS IT!!! CAN YOU BELEIVE IT!! Winx has won an incredible Warwick Stakes in dramatic fashion over Foxplay
Connor Bennett
Editor
The field in the gates now... moments away.
Connor Bennett
Editor
The riders in the mounting yards as the field begins to shuffle out onto the track and around to the barriers, not long now.
Connor Bennett
Editor
Another Waller runner in the race today, Foxplay, had a strong season earlier in the year but Inference looks to be the main threat for the superstar mare.
Connor Bennett
Editor
Connor Bennett
Editor
We're around 6 minutes from the barrier drop. A short field but plenty of talent in there with a host of up and coming runners looking to break through into higher Group success.
Connor Bennett
Editor
Connor Bennett
Editor
17 wins on the trot for the Chris Waller-trained Winx and there's little signs to say she won't make it 18 today
Connor Bennett
Editor
Hello racing fans and welcome to the Warwick Stakes!! Winx took the same race out last year by over five lengths... can she do it again?