Group l racing for the 2025/26 season kicks off this Saturday, with the Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick attracting a class field.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2025 Winx Stakes.
2025 Winx Stakes Runner Preview:
1. Light Infantry Man: Ripping horse who came of age last season with a couple of big race wins. Trial work to get ready has been strong but I am not sure he is here to play.
2. Ceolwulf: Ceolwulf has returned very well off the trials. He will be better suited over further but his recent Warwick Farm trial, he closed strongly from off the speed when second to stablemate Private Eye, who bolted up last Saturday in the PB Lawrence, so the form reads well. Must for exotics.
3. Gringotts: The intent looks there to say he is here to win. He is the 1400m/1600m horse here and looks prepped right up, with a couple of strong trials under the belt. Lands on speed, handles wet ground…rates highly clearly.
4. Arapaho: He has eyes on the first Tuesday in November but he is a beauty that can pull out a run fresh and is one that you can certainly give a tick to in regards to a bog track. Does he win? I say no, but he is overs for mine and can run top four.
5. Lindermann: Lindermann is flying for Chris Waller and rarely runs poorly fresh. He has had two trials to get ready for the return, the latest coming on Monday at Canterbury when running third and moved very nicely I thought, under a hold throughout. He’ll land near the speed and tough it out strongly.
6. Robusto: Loved the way he toughed it out to win the Winter Challenge five weeks ago but this is different gravy and will land on speed but I just don’t think he’s good enough.
7. War Eternal: A proven punting pearl over time is heavy track into heavy track on a seven day back up. This guy won last Saturday at Rosehill and handled the bog best to score. Wet ground no issue, hard fit and in form…can make a case that he is overs.
8. Diamond Diesel: I reckon he’s back in business re positive form, but this is a bridge too far.
9. Via Sistina: I am a bit surprised there is talk that Via Sistina isn’t here to play, not wound up etc etc…it’s a Group l that Chris Waller loves to win, this mare swims and her trials indicate she is humming, the latest here when a closing second to Vauban. Cox Plate is the GF, but the way she has trialled, I am saying the intent is clear to keep the picket fence going and win another major.
10 .Fangirl: I am quite keen to take her on and the market says as much. Does she run? Not sure, but she has looked quite good in trials on wet ground, which is a tick for her because she generally hates getting her feet wet. But I just think there is a new brigade of WFA horses that are catching up to her.
11. Full Count Felicia: She’s not here to play.
12. Aeliana: Fascinating runner because we just don’t know how good she is. Unlucky in the Rosehill Guineas then spanked an average bunch in the Derby. Looks to have trialled up well, Collett is the best wet track rider in Australia, maps to do no work…she’s dangerous if she’s here to play.
2025 Winx Stakes $100 Betting Strategy:
$50 Win Via Sistina Tote/SP
$10 Win/$40 Place Ceolwulf Tote/SP
Group l Strategy Outlay: $0
Group l Strategy Return: $0
2025 Winx Stakes Odds
2025 Winx Stakes Speed Map
Lindermann looks like he could get complete front end control if they give him a dig in the ribs from the wide gate. If not given he is first up, I suspect Robusto could find the front. Gringotts should get the ideal cart across. Via Sistina is drawn barrier one and could get into a nasty spot.
