There’s no guarantee she’ll even head to the UK, but British bookmakers are already braced for the prospect of Winx adding a Royal Ascot success to her glittering resume.
Trained by Chris Waller, Winx has won 26 of her 32 starts, the past 22 in a row including 15 at Group One level, and is closing in on Black Caviar’s streak of 25.
Winx’s part-owner Peter Tighe reiterated in London last month that no decision has been made on whether she will be campaigned outside of Australia after the Chipping Norton and George Ryder Stakes next month.
Tighe intimated that winning an unprecedented fourth Cox Plate in October was still very much an option for connections, and if that route does materialise, it will scupper any hopes of an Ascot appearance.
Despite this, Paddy Power have already priced the six-year-old at 3/1 to win any race at June’s five-day Royal meeting, with Betfair offering 4/1 for her to prevail in the 1600m Queen Anne Stakes on the straight mile track.
Black Caviar was the last Australian horse to taste success at Ascot in 2012 following in the footsteps of Choisir, Miss Andretti, Scenic Blast and Takeover Target.
“Who knows if this wonder-horse is just teasing us,” a Paddy Power spokesman told AAP.
“Personally, I can’t trust anyone who Winx (winks).
“However, she’s going great guns, and if she did come over, she’d be straight amongst the favourites.
“After all, ‘win’ is in her name. And her form I like a lot.”
