Winx thriving as trainer Chris Waller plans to meet connections to map out autumn campaign

Champion mare Winx will return from her summer break next week as trainer Chris Waller hints he will soon meet her owners to map out her what is likely to be her last preparation next autumn.

Superstar mare Winx will return to Chris Waller’s stables next week.

Her trainer Chris Waller said Winx had enjoyed her spell and commenced light pre-training at the farm a few weeks ago.

WORLD TITLE FIGHT: WINX FINDS UNLIKELY ALLY

“She has progressed well since returning, is bright and looks in excellent condition so I look forward to her return to our stables this week,” Waller said.

Waller will meet with Winx’s owners next week and also Hugh Bowman to discuss her immediate future.

Waller said he would provide an update on Winx’s likely preparation, which many consider will be here last, after that meeting.

Winx in pre-training before heading back to her city stables next week.

Winx took her winning sequence to 29 wins in a row when she became the first horse to win the Cox Plate four times in a row at The Valley.

Last year she resumed in the Chipping Norton Stakes and only had three starts in the autumn campaign.

Trainer Chris Waller plans to meet connections next week to map out the champion mare’s autumn campaign.

She then won the George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill and the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick.

The previous two years when she resumed after winning the Cox Plate, she came back in the Apollo Stakes at Randwick (1400m).

Winx wins her fourth consecutive Cox Plate at Moonee Valley in October.

The Apollo Stakes (1400m) is on February 16 and the Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) on March 2 with both races at Randwick.

Winx has amassed $22.9 million and is currently rated equal with Cracksman atop the world rankings.

Racing NSW will no doubt be hoping she doesn’t head to Melbourne for the $5 million All Star Mile.

A finale in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick would be one of racing’s biggest ever events.

Stablemate The Autumn Sun is also close to returning to Waller’s stables and he’ll be targeting the three-year-old series of races including the Hobartville Stakes and Randwick Guineas.

He too will be off to stud in 2019.

The Autumn Sun’s managing owner Arrowfield Stud’s John Messara suggested the star three-year-old won’t be in action next spring.

Messara, speaking on RSN 927, said the horse had been bought as a stallion and could be at stud.

He said he had already had mare owners booking mares into the stallion.

Messara said he’d love to win a Cox Plate but a decision would be made after his next campaign.

Sensational Perth filly Arcadia Queen won’t head to the breeding barn anytime soon but may not be seen until next spring where owner Bob Peters wants to target the Cox Plate with her now that Winx is out of the picture.

She was electrifying in winning the Group 1 Kingston Town Classic at Ascot last Saturday.

Meanwhile, racing returns to Randwick for the first time in six weeks on Saturday with the running of the Group 2 VilliersStakes (1600m).

The $500,00 Inglis Nursery (1000m) will also be run along with the Listed Christmas Cup (2400m) and Listed Razor Sharp Handicap(1200m).

Winx with connections (from left) Patricia Tighe, Peter Tighe, strapper Umut Odemislioglu, Debbie Kepitis and Paul Kepitis and her four Cox Plate trophies.