Katelyn Mallyon: Just don’t blink! If you blink, Winx will be long gone

WHOOSH and it was all over is how Group 1-winning jockey Katelyn Mallyon explains what is was like when she came up against the great Winx in last year’s Turnbull Stakes.

Jockey Katelyn Mallyon says she often imagines riding Winx would be like driving a Maserati.

IT blows your mind how quickly Winx rumbles past.

By the time you see her, it is often too late.

MALLYON: THE HORSE THAT CAN BEAT WINX IN PLATE

RACE DAY SUPERSTITIONS: A DAY IN THE LIFE OF ‘MRS WINX’

I had my chance, on this day last year, riding Assign for Lloyd Williams in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington.

She followed me out of the barriers, so I took off approaching the bend, trying to get a little bit of a break. But that was short-lived. She just cantered up alongside me, and I was flat out on Assign.

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ANALYSIS: TURNBULL STAKES

THE EARLY OIL: FLEMINGTON

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We went into the race thinking we were half a chance. I thought, ‘If we can beat her, we’d beat her. We’re not waiting for anyone, not even a champion’.

That’s just the competitive nature of jockeys, you actually see yourself beating her.

But really you’re not going to get anywhere close.

Once I gave Assign a click up, he gave me a good burst from the 600m-400m, and she was still nowhere in sight.

I dared to dream, if only for a second.

Dynamic duo: Hugh Bowman and Winx take out the Turnbull Stakes last year.

Reality hit balancing up in the straight when I looked under my arm and could see her nose.

As soon as you see her coming, she goes straight past you, her big bum muscles all working — she’s a powerhouse — under double wraps from Hughie (Bowman).

By the time I even had a chance to look at her, she was already three lengths in front of me, racing off into the ­distance.

She’s unbelievable. She ­really is.

Winx hits the overdrive button at Flemington last year. Picture: Alex Coppel

Today, more history will be made at Flemington as the mighty mare again tackles the Turnbull Stakes.

It is mind-boggling how much talent and ability one horse can have.

Winx is a supreme athlete who takes away your breath every time she races.

She draws crowds wherever she goes and gives goose bumps to those who watch her.

Jockey Katelyn Mallyon: “You actually see yourself beating her, but really you’re not going to get anywhere close.”

Winx doesn’t have the biggest stride, as Black Caviar did, covering so much ground.

But she puts her feet down ­really fast.

Her incredible attitude ­towards racing means she can adapt to anything.

Might she have to face the breeze, or weave a passage through the field, she can ­simply do anything.

How well she quickens is probably what amazed me the most. I’ve always dreamt of what that feels like.

I could imagine it feels like driving a Maserati.