A week out from her race return, Winx has reminded her jockey Hugh Bowman why she is the world’s best with a sparkling work-out at Randwick in front of a large group of her adoring fans.
The mare galloped with stablemate Egg Tart on Saturday morning with Bowman letting her settle four lengths behind before letting Winx pick up her rival near the line.
“I felt the afterburners for the first time this preparation. I didn’t let her use them, but I felt them,” Bowman said.
Winx will run in the Group Two Apollo Stakes (1400m) seeking her 30th consecutive win and her gallop bolstered Bowman.
“She looks after herself in her barrier trials so you have to take her on trust,” Bowman said.
“I haven’t felt that will to go and attack the line this preparation until this morning because she’s done all her work on her own at Rosehill and in her trials.
“A day out like today is good for her. She loves the attention and it’s a bit like a race day so it’s good for her.”
Trainer Chris Waller says Winx’s ability to look after herself is her best attribute and the reason she has been able to continue at such a high level for so long.
“She’s an amazing horse to carry on for so long without being beaten, for so long” he said.
“We know she is in the twilight of her career but to hear what Hugh said is just what we wanted.
“She is an amazing athlete and is not showing any signs she is near the end.
“She is spot-on for the Apollo and she won’t do much this week.
“The work is done and we will keep it simple.
“If the races were on today she would be here.”
Egg Tart, scratched from Saturday’s Warwick Farm meeting, will be among Winx’s Apollo rivals as will Australian Oaks winner Unforgotten.
“We will have five or six in the race as we always do,” Waller said.
“Egg Tart will be one. I scratched her today because she had a big weight on a wet track.
“And coming second or third to Winx is no disgrace.”
