The odds are shortening about Winx’s bid for the Doncaster Mile/Queen Elizabeth Stakes double last completed by another great mare, More Joyous.
Winx added the George Ryder Stakes to her Group One record on Saturday, firming from $8 to $2.30 favourite for the Doncaster during the afternoon.
After her fifth Group One win, Winx’s odds for the Queen Elizabeth on April 9 are even shorter with the mare now at $1.60 with the TAB.
While Chris Waller and the mare’s owners have not committed to a Doncaster start, the trainer said it was definitely on the radar.
“Obviously the Queen Elizabeth is the race we have set her for since the Cox Plate but you can’t ignore a $3 million race the week before,” Waller said.
“We will definitely think about the Doncaster.
“I have great respect for the mares, Sunline and More Joyous, who have won the Doncaster carrying big weights.”
Sunline carried 58kg to her second Doncaster win in 2002 while More Joyous had 57.5kg when she won in 2012.
Although Winx has been given 56.5kg, Waller is concerned the mare’s task is made harder by the reduction in the minimum weight.
“More Joyous carried 57-1/2 when she won on a 52 kilogram minimum. Winx has 7-1/2 kilos above a minimum of 49,” Waller said.
“We’ll think about it over the next week or so.”
Winx beat her stablemates Kermadec and Press Statement to win the Ryder and those two are next in markets for the Doncaster.
The winner of last year’s Doncaster, Kermadec is at $6 with Press Statement at $8.
Saturday’s Ranvet Stakes winner The United States is the $6 second favourite for the Queen Elizabeth but he would need a late nomination.
The 2015 Queen Elizabeth winner Criterion is at $11 after his Ranvet third.
The Waller-trained Libran was elevated to the top of the market for the Sydney Cup (3200m) on April 9 after his win in Saturday’s Manion Cup.
The imported Libran, who will run in the Chairman’s Stakes the week before the Cup, is now at $3.50.
“I’m a bit surprised he is that short because Grand Marshal and Who Shot Thebarman are going really well,” Waller said.
Grand Marshal produced a powerful finish to overpower his stablemate Who Shot Thebarman in last year’s Cup.
