Unflappable Winx takes it all in her stride as media circus closes in

CHRIS Waller might feel the pressure associated with guiding the career of the world’s top-rated turf galloper, but for Winx there are no such dramas.

FOR a man with one of the largest and most successful stables in Australia, Chris Waller sleeps surprisingly well.

If there is a horse in Waller’s yard with the potential to induce chronic insomnia, the obvious suspect is an unprepossessing mare called Winx.

But, counter intuitively, the most precious and coveted commodity in Waller’s care is precisely the reason the urbane Kiwi is so relaxed.

Admitting he feels the pressure associated with guiding the career of the world’s top-rated turf galloper, Waller said Winx’s nature is the ideal foil.

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THE EARLY OIL: FLEMINGTON

ANALYSIS: TURNBULL STAKES

FLEMINGTON

First race: 12.50pm

WINX: Turnbull Stakes (Race 5, 3.15pm)

Last race: 5.45pm

Turnbull Stakes (2000m)

Horse (barrier)	Jockey	Weight
1. HUMIDOR (4)	D Lane	59kg
2. WINX (2)	H Bowman	57kg
3. VENTURA STORM (5)	R Bayliss	56.5kg
4. ASSIGN (6)	Ms K Mallyon	56.5kg
5. MAGICOOL (1)	Chris Brown	54.5kg
6. SIR ISAAC NEWTON (7)	D Oliver	54.5kg
7. SKYFIRE (3)	D Dunn	54.5kg

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“There’s never been a sleepless night with Winx,” he said. “You go to bed a pretty happy person.

“She’s one of a big team and I think that suits her as well — she doesn’t get anything special or fuss or attention.

“She’s like all the other horses in the stable.

“We watch other horses work, we watch and analyse other horse’s training programs and adjust their races, just like we do with Winx.

“On Saturday, I’ll be watching racing in Sydney. I’ll be watching a few runners here in Melbourne but then, all of a sudden, you’re putting a saddle on and it’s Winx.

“If anything, having a bigger stable distracts the attention.

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“If you just had the one horse it would be very intense, something that you’re not trained for or used to, having all the media here focusing on you and watching every move.”

Unflappable and famously methodical, Waller, 43, says he will enjoy Winx’s career even more when it’s over.

“It’s an absolute honour to train her,” he said. “Something that you really don’t get caught up in, in the moment, but I think it will be a huge privilege to look back on.

“I look for other distractions.

“I’m lucky to have a great team around me.

“Hugh Bowman does a fantastic job, a very supportive group of owners and staff.

“I think we share the load really well.”

When Waller collects Bowman’s saddle on Saturday and walks down to Winx’s stall, he will be consumed by nothing more than the present.

Jaded by constant questioning over Winx’s future, Waller is determined not to allow discussion to run beyond the immediate.

“After the Cox Plate, we’ll go home and have a rest and assess whether she’ll run in the Emirates Stakes on the last day (of the Melbourne Cup carnival),” he said.

“It’s silly to talk about it.

Champion mare Winx, ridden by jockey Hugh Bowman, during her most recent victory as part of a remarkable 20 straight winning sequence. Picture: Tim Hunter

“The centre of our attention is Saturday. After that it’ll be the Cox Plate and after that it’ll be longevity.

“We want to make sure she’s here for a lot longer yet.”

Waller is certain Winx, who has had only 30 starts in five seasons, will endure at the highest level for some time yet.

“She’s a bit stronger, the scales suggest she’s a bit heavier,” he said.

“She’s matured into a stronger horse.

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“No different to a person or an athlete. Things change as you get older.

“I was certainly concerned in her first Cox Plate, she was very light in condition.

“Second Cox Plate, she was easier and this time around, she’s better.”

Bowman says Winx’s laid-back personality allows her to deal with the relentless attention she receives — something Bowman doesn’t particularly relish.

“To be honest, I don’t really enjoy it,” he said.

Laura Henshaw and Julia Viering in their Winx-inspired blue racewear for Flemington. Picture: Mark Stewart

“The attention is something I’ve come to get used to with her and I enjoy the interest in Winx and what she’s doing for our sport is such a wonderful thing and I enjoy the fact she’s so popular.

“But with that comes extra-curricular activities and this is just another one of those.

“She seems to be very relaxed with it.

“She obviously knows and is well aware of the attention that she gains and I think she has a presence about her because of it.

“She switches on when she needs to. I don’t think it affects her.”

Hugh Bowman says Winx’s laid-back personality allows her to deal with the relentless attention she receives.