For all the meticulous planning involved in Winx’s return, race tactics are not a major consideration.
The i’s have been dotted and the t’s crossed, but tactics for the Group Two Warwick Stakes will rest solely with jockey Hugh Bowman.
Winx will have just six rivals including three stablemates at Randwick on Saturday.
A seven-horse field could mean tactics play a major role in her quest for 10 straight victories.
But trainer Chris Waller says the shape of the race will “look after itself”.
“The more you complicate things the worse it becomes I find,” Waller said.
“That’s the beauty of the good jockeys.”
Bowman has been with Winx for her six Group One wins, combining his judgment with the horse’s versatility.
The pair won the Doncaster Mile from near last, the Cox Plate stalking the speed and the Chipping Norton Stakes from midfield.
“As soon as those barriers open they (jockeys) get a feel for where they should be and what’s happening around them,” Waller said.
“The more you restrict them, the worse it ends up.”
Winx, the $1.35 favourite, will jump from barrier four on Saturday.
The horse most fancied to defeat her, Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Lucia Valentina, has drawn barrier one.
Winx has had two barrier trials in the lead-up to Saturday and will have her final track work hit-out on Thursday morning.
Waller said Vanbrugh was beginning his path towards the Group One Epsom Handicap at Randwick on October 1.
“He’s one that can be watched through the spring,” Waller said.
“He’s one we think has a realistic chance of being in the Epsom and we’re keeping him fresh for a race like that.”
Waller said Grand Marshal and Who Shot Thebarman were starting their long-distance spring preparations in the Warwick Stakes.
“They need to start somewhere and they’re weight-for-age horses but it’s obvious they will struggle to win the race,” he said.
Both Grand Marshal and Who Shot Thebarman are Group One winners over 3200 metres.
