Winx finally recognised as equal best in latest world ratings

WINX is officially on top of the world, sharing the No. 1 spot with American horse Gun Runner in the latest rankings.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — MARCH 03: Hugh Bowman on Winx wins race 6 The Chipping Norton Stakes during Sydney Racing at Royal Randwick Racecourse on March 3, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

IT’S taken three long years, an unbeaten sequence of 23 wins including 16 at Group 1 level before Winx finally was acknowledged as the best in the world.

The first world ratings of the year were released on Thursday night and Winx is sharing top spot with American champion Gun Runner on 129.

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Gun Runner has been retired after his Pegasus World Cup win back in January so he can’t improve his rating but Winx looked to have returned as well as ever in her runaway seven lengths Chipping Norton Stakes win this month and could take her rating higher this autumn.

For the last two years, Winx has been rated the world’s best racehorse on turf but came in behind American dirt horse Arrogate for the world’s best racehorse title.

Hugh Bowman and Winx put on a clinic with the champion mare dominating the Chipping Norton Stakes at Royal Randwick. Picture: Getty Images

Winx is being primed for the Group 1 $1 million George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill next Saturday with trainer Chris Waller giving the great mare an exhibition gallop between races at the Coolmore Classic meeting on Saturday.

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With regular jockey Hugh Bowman still recovering from concussion, Kerrin McEvoy has been asked to partner Winx in her solo gallop over 1000m after the first race.

“I’m looking forward to riding Winx,’’ McEvoy said on Thursday. “I’ve ridden her in an exhibition gallop before and it is a special feeling riding a great horse like her.’’

McEvoy also teams with the Waller stable on Egg Tart, the $5.50 favourite for the Group 1 $600,000 Coolmore Classic (1500m) on Saturday.

Egg Tart, a dual Group 1 winner last season, looked to be back to close to her best form when a luckless first-up fourth to Crack Me Up in the Liverpool City Cup (1300m) at Randwick earlier this month.

“There were good signs from Egg Tart the other day, she didn’t have much luck,’’ McEvoy said.

“The extra 200m of the Coolmore is in her favour and she has drawn well.

“I’m hoping we can settle in a midfield position, that would be great, because you know she will be finishing the race off strongly.’’

McEvoy has eight race rides on Saturday including Golden Slipper hopeful Spin in the Group 3 $175,000 Pago Pago Stakes (1200m).

Hugh Bowman returns to scale on Winx after her amazing first-up win. Picture: Getty Images