We take a look at Saturday’s feature Group One at Randwick the Queen Elizabeth Stakes featuring Champion mare Winx and list everything you need to know about the race.
THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STAKES
2000m, $4 million, weight-for-age
HISTORY
* First run in 1954 and won by Blue Ocean
* The legendary Tulloch won the race three times – 1958, 1960 and 1961
* Other winners include: Gay Icarus (1971), Ming Dynasty (1978), Rough Habit (1992), Veandercross (1993), Jeune (1995), Doriemus (1996), Might And Power (1998), Lonhro (2003), Grand Armee (2004-05), It’s A Dundeel (2014) Criterion (2015) and Winx (2017 and 2018).
* The Queen Elizabeth has become as famous for two defeats as for its winners. In 1997 Intergaze spoiled the farewell party of champion Octagonal and seven years later Grand Armee did the same to Octagonal’s most famous son, Lonhro
* Intergaze’s defeat of Octagonal was the last time a three-year-old won the race.
* Legendary trainer Tommy Smith holds the record for most wins with 11.
TALKING POINTS
* Champion mare Winx equalled Grand Armee (2004/2005) to win consecutive Queen Elizabeth Stakes last year. She is now aiming for three.
WHAT CONNECTIONS ARE SAYING
“I don’t want the occasion to get my thoughts away from the job I’ve got to do to allow Winx to do what she has to do” – Winx’s jockey Hugh Bowman
“It’s $750,000 for running second” – Happy Clapper’s trainer Pat Webster
“It’s a weird feeling. I’m actually a little bit nervous to be going out there but it’s going to be pretty special to be that close to her. It’s pretty exciting to be a part of history” – Harlem’s jockey Jamie Kah
“I can honestly say that I feel that she’s as well going into this Saturday as she’s been ever in that four years” – Winx’s jockey Hugh Bowman
“It really is the ride that keeps on giving. I mean to have ridden her and to be part of racing folklore is something which is just incredible” – Larry Cassidy who rode WInx to the first won of her streak
