Winx gives a trackwork scare after kicking out at sponsor sign
Trainer Chris Waller insists Winx’s antics in mounting yard after her final gallop, where she lashed out and kicked a sponsor’s sign, shows she is “ready to explode” in her farewell race. RAY THOMAS’S QE STAKES PREVIEW
It was the moment the fairytale ending to Winx’s storied racing career nearly became a nightmare.
The world’s best racehorse had just completed her final track gallop before her farewell race, the $4 million Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Randwick on Saturday, when she became agitated and lashed out at the race sponsor’s advertising sign on the mounting yard fence.
The sound of Winx’s powerful hind leg kick reverberated around the empty Rosehill grandstand on Thursday morning as concerned trainer Chris Waller tried to rein in the mare.
Waller was nearly knocked down by an uncharacteristically flighty Winx as she lashed out three times.
Winx, who is usually so calm and professional, quickly settled down and was taken away to Waller’s nearby stables before the trainer fronted the huge media contingent, which included camera crews from 14 television networks around the world.
Waller blamed himself for the incident. He had removed the earmuffs Winx had galloped in earlier before presenting her to media where the noise of clicking cameras appeared to spook the champion mare who then bucked and lashed out with her back legs.
“I shouldn’t have taken the earmuffs off this morning,’’ Waller said. “I just wanted to take them off so you could all see her without the ‘earphones’, but as soon as I did she could hear the clicking and the clacking and so I probably shouldn’t have done that.
“But I was just trying to do the right thing by everybody so they can see her for what she actually is, behind the mask so to speak.
“There were so many people here and she had the rug on which was sort of grabbing on the bum and I don’t think she liked that too much, either.
“Then, as you saw, she’s a horse, they’re unpredictable. Obviously it’s a big morning with a lot of cameras and people everywhere and, yeah, they can get a bit fresh from time to time.
“She’s certainly ready to explode – that’s probably the better word this morning.’’
Ironically, the Longines signage – the Swiss watchmakers are the race sponsor of the Queen Elizabeth Stakes – has averted a disaster.
If Winx had not struck the sign but the fence instead, the likelihood is she would have got her leg stuck between the metal bars, almost certainly causing serious injury.
Fortunately, Waller confirmed Winx had not taken any ill-harm from the incident.
“The farrier has already called to say she’s 100 per cent,’’ Waller said
Rather than be concerned by Winx’s wilful display, Waller said it should be interpreted as a positive sign.
“I think it shows how fresh she is, how much energy and how much life she’s got to offer,’’ Waller said. “This tells me she is ready to race.’’
Racing NSW veterinarians were sent to inspect Winx later in the morning and reported the champion mare was free in her action and was passed fit to run in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Winx is at $1.06 favourite with TAB Fixed Odds to end her celebrated career with a 33rd consecutive win.
TAB officials expect total bets taken on Winx in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes will exceed the record hold on the champion mare in an individual race.
The biggest hold (fixed odds only) on Winx so far was $3.104 million in last October’s Cox Plate. The second biggest was $2.954 million on Winx last start in the George Ryder Stakes.
In total, TAB revealed Winx turnover (total bets) in her race career has now exceeded $47 million. The next most popular with punters is Chautauqua on $14,337,694, then Hartnell with $12,386,261 followed by Black Caviar with $11,971,717.
TAB’s payout figure on Winx (combining Fixed Odds and tote betting) so far is over $120 million.
RAY THOMAS’S RACE ANALYSIS
$4m QUEEN ELIZABETH STAKES (2000m)
Group 1, Royal Randwick, Saturday, 3.05pm
LATEST BETTING: TAB FIXED ODDS
THE HISTORY
Australian Cup-Queen Elizabeth Stakes: Durbridge (1994), Veandercross (1993), Ming Dynasty (1978), Ngawyni (1977), Gay Icarus (1971).
George Ryder Stakes-Queen Elizabeth Stakes: Winx (2017/2018) Lonhro (2003).
Doncaster Mile-Queen Elizabeth Stakes: More Joyous (2012), Iko (1980).
Ranvet Stakes-Queen Elizabeth Stakes: Desert War (2007), Eremein (2006), Grand Armee (2005), Veandercross (1993).
Tancred Stakes-Queen Elizabeth Stakes: Eremein (2006), Might And Power (1998), Sydeston (1990), Our Poetic Prince (1989).
Queen Elizabeth Stakes-Cox Plate: Winx (2017-18), Might and Power (1998), Rising Prince (1985), Battle Heights (1974), Tulloch (1960).
THE KEY LEAD-UP RACES
GEORGE RYDER STAKES, Rosehill Gardens, March 23
Winx was at her usual dominant self claiming her fourth successive George Ryder Stakes. Jockey Hugh Bowman made a wide run on Wide around the home turn before the great mare careered away to win easing down by more than three lengths. The runner-up, Brutal, and third placegetter Dreamforce, franked the form with their Doncaster Mile quinella last week.
RANVET STAKES, Rosehill Gardens, March 23
He’s Eminent, a former English galloper who ran fourth in an Epsom Derby and was Group 1 placed in Ireland, made his Australian debut when second in the Ranvet Stakes behind Avilius. He’s Eminent led at a strong gallop for most of the race before yielding to the brilliant finish of Avilius with Danzdanzdance running on for third. Avilius won the Tancred Stakes next start to underline the merit of the form.
FAVOURITES
The Queen Elizabeth Stakes has been a good race for favourites with 13 winning in the last 30 years, including Winx’s dual successes in 2017 at $1.12 and last year at $1.24. There has been another six odds-on favourites win during this period, including Lonhro at $1.85 in 2003. However, Lonhro was also involved in one of the race’s major upsets when he ran second at $1.26 behind Grand Armee in 2004. Sarrera, a $51 bolter in 2008, is the longest priced winner in the last three decades.
TRAINERS
Tommy Smith holds the training record with 11 wins including Tulloch’s three wins in 1958, 1960-61. His daughter, Gai Waterhouse has trained four winners of this race, most recently with More Joyous in 2012. Chris Waller has also prepared four Queen Elizabeth winners, including Winx’s successive wins in the past two years. Waller is the only trainer with runners in Saturday’s race to have won the Queen Elizabeth.
JOCKEYS
Hugh Bowman, rider of Winx, is attempting a fourth win in the race after successes on Winx (2017-18) and Reliable Man (2013). James McDonald rides He’s Eminent in a bid to add to his 2014 win on It’s A Dundeel. George Moore holds the race riding record with six wins.
BARRIERS
The Randwick 2000m can be a tricky start with a run of about 400m to the first turn but the importance of the barrier draw has been reduced with only nine runners. The most successful starting position in the last 30 years has been barrier two with seven wins, while barrier nine, where Winx is drawn, has not produced a winner in this period.
SPEED MAP
He’s Eminent made the pace – and at a decent clip – in the Ranvet Stakes and it took the in-form Avilius to run him down. He’s Eminent will likely lead again, although Mask Of Time also likes to be right on speed. Harlem will settle close to the lead and expect Hartnell and Happy Clapper to be in the front half of the field. Winx is likely to go back from her wide barrier and probably settles at the rear. The tempo should be genuine.
AND THE VERDICT IS … WINX
Winx, the world’s best racehorse, only needs to avoid bad luck in running to win her farewell race. The champion mare adapts to all conditions, fast or slow pace, wet or dry tracks, and still prove far superior to her opposition. She has a phenomenal ability to sustain a long sprint which other horses can’t match. She can run incredible sectionals to close off her race, too.
Quite simply, there are no chinks in her armour. Winx has been unbeatable for four years, she is chasing her 33rd successive win, and her 25th at Group 1 level. If she avoids trouble and barring any other unforeseen circumstance, her rivals are merely racing for second placing.
Happy Clapper has finished second to Winx in five races and he might just do that again on Saturday. I like the gear change with the blinkers going off and winkers on. In theory, he should settle better in the run and stay the 2000m out strongly.
He’s Eminent is the query horse. He was very good in the Ranvet Stakes at his first start in eight months and surely he can only be improved by the run. If he can get control up front – although Mask Of Time may want the lead – then he might take some catching.
Hartnell was brave in the Doncaster Mile, finishing third as topweight and he is better suited at weight-for-age. However, he has raced Winx seven times and never got near her.
Japanese raider Kluger hit the line strongly to finish fourth in the Doncaster and he will find the 2000m suitable. Danzdanzdance is a dual Group 1 winner in New Zealand who was competitive when third in the Ranvet Stakes. Her best chance is if the track is in the heavy range.
RAY THOMAS’S TIPS
1 WINX
2 Happy Clapper
3 He’s Eminent
4 Hartnell
Best Outsider
Kluger
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