Chelmsford Stakes 2016: Winx scratched from race as heavy track sees Chris Waller take no chances

PODCAST: With the track a heavy 9, Chris Waller was not prepared to take any chances with the mighty mare and Winx won’t run today at Royal Randwick.

TO run or not to run, that was the question. And Sydney’s awful weather has finally answered it in the negative.

Trainer Chris Waller doubtless had a sleepless night deciding whether to start champion mare Winx in the Group 2 $250,000 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

However, persistent rain has seen the track rated a heavy nine and Waller was not prepared to take any chances with the mighty mare.

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This is understandable given Winx is only second-up and has a long spring campaign ahead of her.

Waller has put Winx’s welfare first, though he will be mindful that the Australian Turf Club has put a lot into promoting the much loved mare’s appearance in the Chelmsford Stakes and Sydney race fans who were keen to watch the sport’s biggest drawcard aim for her 11th ­consecutive win will be left disappointed.

Waller revealed he had structured Winx’ s spring race program in such a way that if the mare was to miss a scheduled race start for any reason it would not impact her campaign.

Winx will nonetheless remain in Sydney for the Group 1 $500,000 George Main Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwck in two weeks.

Prized Icon was second behind Winx in overnight betting at $7 as he bids to become the first three-year-old to win the weight-for-age race since Mighty Kingdom in 1979.

He was the only other runner under double-figures odds, with Godolphin’s Hartnell next in betting at $11. Thos prices will obviously shorten with this morning’s news of the favourite’s absence.

Waller has other Chelmsford runners of course, with Preferment, Who Shot Thebarman, Grand Marshal, Storm The Stars and Spiritjim all starters.

It was only two years ago that Waller prepared the first six over the line in the Chelmsford Stakes — with Hawkspur beating Royal Descent, Bagman, Sacred Falls, Moriarty and Junoob.

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Winx takes out the Group 2 Warwick Stakes at Randwick last month. Picture: AAP

RT’s first Wyong Cup ‘40 years in the making’

HALL of Fame jockey Robert Thompson and champion trainer Kris Lees have collectively won more than 5000 races but a Wyong Gold Cup had eluded both men — until Friday.

Thompson, riding for the first time since he suffered concussion in a mounting yard incident at Taree two weeks ago, produced a brilliant tactical ride on Slow Pace to win the Listed $160,000 feature race on a very heavy track surface.

It was also a drought-breaking win for Slow Pace who had not been first over the line since he took out a race in France in June, 2013.

“I’ve been waiting 40 years to win this race,’’ Thompson told Sky Thoroughbred Central. “It shows you have go to keep trying.’’

Slow Pace and the legendary Robert Thompson return to scale. Picture: Mark Evans

Lees paid tribute to Thompson’s brilliant tactical ride which gave Slow Pace a slogging win over Sacred Master.

“Robert’s initiative in making that mid-race move to put Slow Pace outside the leader won him the race,’’ Lees said.

“Slow Pace was down in the weights and he enjoys wet tracks so that was also a contributing factor.

“It is a pleasure to win this race with Robert Thompson.’’

Lees confirmed Slow Pace will now be aimed at the Newcastle Gold Cup later this month.

The other feature race at the Wyong meeting, the Listed $120,000 Mona Lisa Stakes (1200m) was won by the John O’Shea-trained Fitou.

Slow Pace and Robert Thompson take out the Wyong Cup. Picture: Mark Evans

Originally published as Chelmsford Stakes 2016: Winx scratched from race as heavy track sees Chris Waller take no chances