Winx at ‘Black Caviar odds’ to win her 11th straight race in George Main Stakes at Randwick

FIELD/BETTING: WINX, the nation’s best racehorse, is at “Black Caviar odds” to extend her celebrated winning streak at Royal Randwick on Saturday. WATCH WINX IN ACTION.

WINX, the nation’s best racehorse, is at “Black Caviar odds” to extend her celebrated winning streak at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

There are eight final acceptors for the Group 1 $500,000 Colgate George Main Stakes (1600m) with Winx rated at $1.15 on TAB Fixed Odds to win her 11th race in succession.

RANDWICK: FIELDS FOR SATURDAY

The last horse to start so short for a Group 1 race in Sydney was the undefeated Black Caviar when she was sent out at $1.14 before winning her 25th and final race in the 2013 TJ Smith Stakes.

Winx, who won the Warwick Stakes brilliantly when resuming a month ago, was given her final workout before Saturday’s race when she galloped over 1000m on the course proper at Rosehill Gardens on Wednesday morning.

A large group of media were trackside for the pre-dawn solo workout with Winx handling the exercise effortlessly.

Trainer Chris Waller played down any suggestions that the month between runs could leave Winx vulnerable over the Randwick “mile” in the George Main Stakes.

“The beauty of Winx is she is a very athletic horse,’’ Waller said. “In human terms, she is very much a natural athlete.

Trainer Chris Waller watches on as Winx returns from her hitout. Picture: Mark Evans

“I’m happy with her. She has had that barrier trial (last Friday) which keeps her nerves settled and her fitness levels up without overtraining her.

“We take a very kind approach (to her training) and she seems to respond well.’’

Her regular rider, Hugh Bowman, made the trek out to Rosehill on Wednesday to put the mighty mare through her paces.

“She feels great,’’ Bowman said. “She didn’t do a lot this morning, just breezed around and had a morning out but she feels very comfortable.

“Obviously she didn’t start in the Chelmsford Stakes so it is four weeks between runs but I’m very excited about her progress.

Winx will be chasing her 11th straight win on Saturday at Randwick. Picture: Mark Evans

“I am satisfied with where she is at, she has tightened up since her last run. She is on track for the weekend.’’

A bumper crowd is expected at Randwick on Saturday for Winx’s final Sydney start of the spring before she is whisked off to Melbourne to prepare for a defence of her Cox Plate title.

Waller confirmed Winx’s Melbourne program will include a start in the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes on October 8 prior to the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on October 22.

If Winx can continue her winning momentum in the George Main Stakes she will take her career earnings over $7 million but Waller is not taking nothing for granted.

“You always have to respect the opposition,’’ Waller said. “There are always up and comers, horses that can improve. The way races are run, wet tracks, dry tracks, luck in running, all those things you have to take into account.

“But our focus is on Winx and if she is right then the others have to improve to beat her.

“We just have to make sure she turns up the same horse that has been turning up the last 10 starts and we should not have too much to worry about.’’

GEORGE MAIN STAKES

Randwick, Saturday 3.15pm

1 TOSEN STARDOM D Weir C Williams (7) 59kg

2 HAURAKI J O’Shea J McDonald (5) 59kg

3 IT’S SOMEWHAT J O’Shea T Clark (4) 59kg

4 SPIRITJIM C Waller B Avdulla (8) 59kg

5 GREAT ESTEEM S Webb K McEvoy (2) 59kg

6 LE ROMAIN K Lees C Reith (1) 58.5kg

7 VANBRUGH C Waller G Schofield (3) 58.5kg

8 WINX C Waller H Bowman (6) 57kg

BETTING: TAB FIXED ODDS