Wings Of Desire, the three-quarter sister to the legendary Winx, is set to make her debut at Hawkesbury on Sunday. The 10th and final foal from Vegas Showgirl, Wings Of Desire has impressed in trials leading up to her first race over 1100 meters.
Trainer Michael Freedman shared insights into the two-year-old filly’s preparation, noting her size and barrier quirks. “She is just such a big filly, I think she just gets a bit claustrophobic in the barriers,” Freedman explained. “The last two trials she’s had the barrier extension and barrier blanket and we will go with that on race day and hopefully get through without any incident. She’s big everywhere … she is a big unit.”
Previously named Taleitaki, Wings Of Desire has been retained by her breeder John Camilleri. Jockey Tommy Berry will ride her from barrier three, having partnered her in trials at Randwick and Rosehill, where she showed promise.
“I think she’s got some ability,” Freedman said. “Trials are one thing, I don’t get too carried away, I’d rather see what they can do race day, but she has certainly done a nice job at both her trials. Obviously, she has got the pedigree to go with it, so it would be nice to get her going at the back end of her two-year-old year and keep her going and see where we get to. While 1100 meters is nice first time out, she gives me the impression she will appreciate getting out over further.”
Wings Of Desire follows in the footsteps of her half-sisters, City of Lights and Time of My Life, who both won on debut. Vegas Showgirl, the dam of Winx, passed away last October at the age of 21.
Betting apps have Wings Of Desire as the $4.20 second favourite in the market behind another first starter from the Snowden yard Written Scandal who is $3.20 with Ladbrokes.
Winx’s unraced 3/4 sister looking good with a trial win this morning.
Wings Of Desire (2f Pride of Dubai x Vegas Showgirl) for @MFreedmanRacing. She’s the last foal of the mare. Retained to race by John Camilleri’s Fairway Thoroughbreds.
This her 3rd trial, 2nd this prep.… pic.twitter.com/eP3Z0lCuEK
— Breednet (@BreednetNews) July 12, 2024
