Winx ‘spot on’ for the Chelmsford Stakes

As the pressure momentarily subsides for Chris Waller and Winx, the trainer is looking forward to a more relaxed race day build-up.

The expectation surrounding Winx’s return to the track meant her Warwick Stakes win prompted relief over jubilation for Waller.

While Sydney’s premier trainer holds a strong hand ahead of Saturday’s Run To The Rose meeting at Rosehill, the spotlight is not shining as brightly on the stable.

“You still enjoy last week’s win and the positive spin-offs from that,” Waller said.

“But it’s a bit of a relaxing week before we build again next week.”

Winx’s next assignment will come in the Group Two Chelmsford Stakes on September 3.

Waller says the champion mare is spot-on after her dominant first-up display.

“Everything is good and well,” Waller said.

“She’ll have a couple of quiet gallops before the next target which is the Chelmsford Stakes on the way to the George Main Stakes.

The Group George Main Stakes on September 17 will be Sydneysiders’ final opportunity to see her race this preparation before she heads to Melbourne in search of a second Cox Plate.

“She had a good, hard gallop last Saturday,” Waller said.

“At least I know where she’s at which makes my job a lot easier.”

The Cox Plate remains the central focus of her spring, but post-race recovery will determine if Winx continues to the Mackinnon Stakes on the final day of the Melbourne Cup carnival at Flemington.

“If we can look after her and protect her you’ll get more out of her later, whether that be next preparation or giving her an extra run which would be six runs this prep,” Waller said.

“We take it one run at a time with a horse like her but while she’s winning well and pulling up well she’s always got another race in sight.”