Chris Waller hints at a schedule change for Winx

Winx has again pleased her jockey Hugh Bowman in a Rosehill barrier trial but whether he rides her when she returns hinges on an appeal against suspension.

Bowman rode the mare in a trial won by top sprinter Redzel on Monday morning, a few hours before he fronts the Racing NSW appeal panel to try to have a careless riding ban reduced.

Trainer Chris Waller says he and the champion’s owners will wait for the result of the appeal before confirming whether Winx makes her return in the Apollo Stakes at Randwick on February 17.

Waller did hint in a post trial interview that Winx may bypass the Apollo Stakes if Bowman’s appeal was unsuccessful with the Futurity Stakes in Melbourne an option as well as running in the G1 Chipping Norton Stakes first up.

Waller on Winx:
“Does she have to run in the Apollo?”
“We’ll know more after the appeal today.”
“There’s lots of options – every week there’s races for her.”
“Going to Melbourne for the Futurity is an option, unlikely but possible.”
“She could go to the Chipping Norton first up.”

— Magic Millions (@mmsnippets) February 4, 2018

Trial replay:

A star-studded trial to begin the morning @rosehillgardens with Redzel dominant and Winx doing her best work late, closing off extremely well. Onwards and upwards for the two superstars this Autumn! #GoWinx pic.twitter.com/zTN8sXunRz

— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 4, 2018