Winx has extended her record-breaking winning streak out to 26 consecutive races with victory in a race named for her, at the 2018 Winx Stakes at Royal Randwick Racecourse.
» Click here to read the full match report
1. Winx
2. Invictus Place
3. D’argento
4. Kementari
It’s officially Winx Day! Join The Roar for a live blog of the 2018 Winx Stakes at the Royal Randwick Racecourse on Saturday afternoon, starting from 3pm AEST.
Welcome punters to the first racing blog of the 2018-19 season as we celebrate the first Group 1 race on the calendar, the Winx Stakes (1400m).
Formerly known as the Warwick Stakes, the Group 2 race has been given an upgrade and new name in honour of the champion mare.
Today, Winx looks to surpass the record of another champion mare in Black Caviar, who also has a Group 1 race named in her honour, the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m).
While Black Caviar went undefeated to win 25 of her 25 starts, Winx will look to make it 26 wins in a row today.
The Chris Waller-trained seven-year-old has been to the races 35 times and won on 29 occasions. She’s finished second three times and was unplaced three times.
Winx hasn’t lost a race since she was second in the Group 1 ATC Oaks in 2015 as a three-year-old.
Bookmakers think she’ll win again today. BetEasy has her around the $1.20 mark, which means they think she’s around an 84 per cent chance to win.
Personally, I think she probably wins, but wouldn’t be backing her.
As I have stated in my Saturday preview article, there are some factors against Winx that makes me think she’s vulnerable today.
However, if the Winx we know and love shows up, there’s no stopping her.
The Godolphin stallion Kementari is the only possible danger. He’s got match fitness on his side after a solid hit-out in the Group 2 Missile Stakes (1200m) and is probably more suited to the seven furlongs (1400m) than Winx, who is first-up since April.
Of course, today’s race is just a stepping stone for the great mare, who will look to add a record-breaking fourth Cox Plate to her amazing trophy cabinet.
If we assume Waller intends to follow the same program he did with her last year, then Winx will head to the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) on September 1, followed by the Group 1 George Main Stakes (1600m) a fortnight later on September 15, before making the trip to Victoria for the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) on October 6 and Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) on October 27.
If the mighty mare does follow that path and continues her unbeaten streak, she will finish the spring with 30 straight wins, 34 in total and well in excess of $20 million in prize money.
But first, she has to win today. What do you think, punters? Is she vulnerable first-up?
Join The Roar for a live blog of the 2018 Winx Stakes at the Royal Randwick Racecourse on Saturday afternoon, starting from 3pm AEST.
JOHNY BULLDOG
Roar Rookie
Go u good thing ?
Rock
Guest
She's certainly right up there! Just how she let's down, she is an absolute marvel.
Matt Nicholls
Expert
Still have chills. An amazing horse. A great ride by Hugh Bowman. Made sure Kementari couldn't get a break on her, but when the whips were cracking the Godolphin horse was left standing and Winx simply gave him windburn. To win 26 races in a row and most of them at the top level is something we will probably never see again in Australia. Amazingly, we could see her win 30 in a row by October as she tackles a Cox Plate campaign. Punters, we've been truly blessed to see an equine champion in the flesh. If you get the chance to see her live, make sure you get to a track and see her so you can tell your kids and grandkids about her. Don't forget we've previewed five races throughout today's programs at Randwick and Caulfield so jump on here and hopefully find a winner. That's it for me today. I'll go to bed dreaming about Winx.
Matt Nicholls
Expert
If they didn't beat her today they won't beat her again this preparation. What an amazing achievement. To beat Black Caviar's record on Black Caviar's birthday was incredible. I still think she's the best we've ever seen.
Matt Nicholls
Expert
How good is Winx! What a champion. What a freak. 26 wins in a row.
Matt Nicholls
Expert
Winx and Kementari going stride for stride!
Matt Nicholls
Expert
Kementari has found an amazing spot in transit. Winx stalking.
Matt Nicholls
Expert
Here we go. Gates have flown back!
Matt Nicholls
Expert
Slight delay here due to a saddle adjustment to one of the runners. A massive $164,000 in the NSW tote pool. The punters can't wait to see Winx run.
Matt Nicholls
Expert
This strong breeze at Randwick will probably do Winx no harm. She should get cover for most of the race. Expect the leaders to flop in the straight. Kementari could still be the knockout horse. He's firm in betting at around $6 but better odds if you take BetEasy's top tote product.
Matt Nicholls
Expert
The champion mare is $1.20 across the board with all three totes. $1.24 around fixed for her with BetEasy. We are about 90 seconds from race time.
Matt Nicholls
Expert
Currently logged in from the Duke of Wellington in sunny Melbourne. Well at least it's sunny for now. Winx looks a real treat. Waller looks nervous, but he always looks a tad nervous when she races. Good chance he'll shed a tear if she wins today, breaking Black Caviar's record of 25 wins in a row.
Matt Nicholls
Expert
Winx looks an absolute treat in the mounting yard. No excuses today. I think she should win, but obviously needs a few things today. Remember, she will likely be running last or second last for most of the race. Look for her to start working into the race around the 500m mark and hitting the front in the final 100m.
Matt Nicholls
Expert
All right punters, here we go. Just 10 minutes out until the mighty mare races. She's drifted to $1.24 with BetEasy while Kementari is still around $6. Anyone tipping an upset?