Winx set to continue winning streak on and off the track

SUPERSTAR Winx is set to follow up her third Horse Of The Year award with her 28th straight win on Saturday in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington.

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IN the next two days it’s more than likely Winx will add another two victories to her extraordinary CV.

There’s no doubt she will receive her third consecutive Horse Of The Year gong at the 2017-18 Australian Racehorse Of The Year awards in Melbourne on Thursday night.

On Saturday, Winx is $1.15 to record her 28th straight win when she returns to Melbourne for the first time this year to run in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington.

Winx will have nine rivals in the Turnbull, headed by Darren Weir’s Caulfield Cup favourite Kings Will Dream. Winx drew barrier eight and soon after the field was announced she firmed from $1.20 to $1.15 in what her trainer Chris Waller described “as a nice race for Winx”.

Winx romps to victory in last year’s Turnbull Stakes. Picture: AAP

“Obviously we always ­respect our opposition and again we see some new challengers to her,” he said. “They are horses who all deserve respect heading towards their various targets.”

Waller reflected on Winx’s only Flemington run which produced a 6½-length win in last year’s Turnbull Stakes, saying it demonstrated she was suited for the track.

“She seemed so at home last year when running at Flemington for the first time,” he said.

“It just seems to be a natural galloping track for horses to jump, find their rhythm and steadily build momentum.”

Waller said Winx was in very good condition and had produced two nice pieces of work on the course proper.

“Her spring coat is starting to come through now and she has dappled up,” he said.

Winx looks an absolute treat heading into Saturday’s Turnbull Stakes. pic.twitter.com/rNdbh2vFsY

— Chris Waller Racing (@cwallerracing) October 2, 2018

He said his Flemington base had become like a second home to Winx as she had travelled there for the past three years and was used to the routine from the stables.

Waller will also be represented by four-year-old mare Youngstar, who won the Queensland Oaks in June, the race which was also Winx’s first Group 1 event in 2015.

Waller said Youngstar, who would be ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, is heading towards the Caulfield Cup, which was her main aim.

“I would just like to see her be competitive (against Wix), she is getting up to a more suitable distance,” he said. “It will give me a good guide as to what to expect in the Caulfield Cup in two weeks’ time. From the good barrier and with the nice, long straight I am sure she will be doing her best work late.”

Winx cruised to victory in last year’s Turnbull Stakes at Flemington. Picture: Getty Images

Craig Williams, who is booked to ride Kings Will Dream in the Caulfield Cup, will jump aboard Darren Weir’s stayer for the first time in the Turnbull.

Trainer Mick Price will back-up Grunt, six days after he failed in the Underwood Stakes.

Grunt’s two biggest wins, the Australian Guineas and the Makybe Diva Stakes, have both been at Flemington. Price also will be represented by Mighty Boss.

BIGGEST POTENTIAL COLLECTS ON TAB TURNBULL STAKES

$16,052 at $1.20 on Winx to win for $19,262.40

$300 at $51 on Mighty Boss to win for $15,300

$10,000 at $1.20 on Winx to win for $12,000

$10,000 at $1.20 on Winx to win for $12,000

$10,000 at $1.20 on Winx to win for $12,000

$8,000 at $1.20 on Winx to win for $9,600

$8,000 at $1.20 on Winx to win for $9,600

$500 at $13 on Kings Will Dream to win for $6,500

$5,000 at $1.20 on Winx to win for $6,000

TURNBULL STAKES

$1.15 Winx

$11 Kings Will Dream, Grunt

$19 Youngstar

$26 Jon Snow

$51 Ventura Storm

$61 Mighty Boss

$81 Tally, Trap For Fools

$101 Divine Unicorn

LATEST BETTING: TAB FIXED ODDS

COX PLATE

$1.30 Winx

$13 Humidor

$17 D’Argento

$26 Avilius, Benbatl, Blair House, Grunt, Homesman, Kings Will Dream, The Autumn Sun, Unforgotten

$51+ others