The Verdict: Winx and knowing nod to Sunline comparison

THE VERDICT: SUPER mare Winx was handicapped slightly more leniently, but on Saturday she did what Sunline could not and won the Doncaster as a four-year-old.

THE Courier-Mail racing editor Nathan Exelby gives his regular take on all things racing.

WINX MAKING STRONG CASE

LARRY Cassidy’s assertion that Winx was better than Sunline created a huge amount of debate last week, with many labelling the comparison almost blasphemous.

Winx has a long way to go to match the longevity of Sunline, who won stakes races from two to seven years of age, 13 Group 1s in three different countries and more than $11 million in prizemoney.

Winx clearly has a few seasons to go at the same level to earn the same class of adulation. But, on deeds to the same stage, the modern day star has a superior record.

Admittedly, Winx was handicapped slightly more leniently, but on Saturday she did what Sunline could not and won the Doncaster as a four-year-old.

The tally at the moment is six Group 1 wins to four in favour of Winx, who is into $1.50 to claim next Saturday’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Damian Browne celebrates after riding Buffering to victory in the Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan, Dubai. Picture: Getty Images

BUFF PROVIDES HEAP OF BROWNE SUGAR

DAMIAN Browne said he had been “overwhelmed” by the reception he and everyone associated with Buffering has had since returning to Australia.

“He’s always been a popular horse, but it’s just gone to another level. Even over there in Dubai, the support was just amazing,” Browne said.

“I am very proud to be a part of it.”

Browne showed no signs of jet lag as he landed a winning treble at Doomben on Kaiser Franz, El Sasso and Lucky Black.

“It’s great to come home and ride a few winners and hopefully I can continue to find some nice rides as we head into the carnival,” Browne said.

Browne’s combination with Peter and Paul Snowden proved a winner for punters, with El Sasso one of the best backed runners of the day.

“Not much went right for us in the run, but when you are riding their horses you just have so much confidence because you know they are always going to be spot on,” Browne said.“ I will put my hand straight up any time they send one up here.”

Trainer Chris Munce said Lucky Black would be given a short break in preparation for some of the minor races at the backend of the carnival.

HERCULEAN TASK

IT was apt that new Racing Queensland chairman Steve Wilson should spend his first day at the races since being inducted on a day themed Superhero Saturday.

Jockeys donned the Superman silks, with Luke Dittman saluting on Spot The Diff in them.

Patrons all over the course did too.

Wilson will need to don a cape himself if he’s to mend the fractured industry and pave a winning path. The announcement of his fellow board members on Saturday didn’t exactly bring a standing ovation in the southeast corner of the state.

New chairman of Racing Queensland Steve Wilson with. Racing Minister Grace Grace. Picture: Tim Marsden

SAD LOSS

PROMISING three-year-old Global Red, who was an acceptor at Doomben, was injured on the track in Toowoomba on Saturday and had to be put down.

He had won two of his three starts in dashing style and was luckless in the lone defeat.

APPEAL AVENUE

AFTER being charged by stewards for careless riding out of the staying race, Jason Taylor pleaded not guilty and promptly told stewards he had no intention of making a case to them, as he would save his summation for appeal.

“They have already made up their minds, so we will debate it in front of the appeals panel,” Taylor said, before being handed an 11-day stretch.

Stewards also suspended Brad Stewart (12 days), Luke Dittman and Cassie Schmidt (both nine days).

Unusually, no whip fines were handed down, with the Sydney swipes chiming in instead, with Hugh Bowman and Zac Purton both pinged $2000.

TEXTA TRAINER

FELLOW trainers revelled in telling the story on Saturday of how Kelly Schweida used a black permanent marker to liven up an old set of faded colours through the week.

A few mused whether the saved funds helped fund the popular conditioner’s holiday to north Queensland. Schweida sent through instructions to riders early on Saturday because he had a snorkelling engagement.

STOOD DOWN

TWO southeast Queensland jockeys have been stood down after admitting to stewards they had taken an illicit drug.

The confessions came in the wake of the pair taking a random breath test at Caloundra on Monday.

Stewards are not willing to comment on the two cases, saying the tests have not even been analysed yet. But both riders have been stood down from riding pending the outcome of those tests and in the wake of their admissions.

THE QUOTE

“I could feel Rob’s arms around my neck at the 600m.”

Damian Browne thought he was going to have another hard luck story on Kaiser Franz before he weaved a winning passage.

For his part, trainer Rob Heathcote told Browne “you nearly slaughtered it again” before taking aim at those who had called the stayer a money muncher.

“That one’s for all the tipsters who have been potting the horse. He should have won his last three and he tried to get out four times before he got clear again today.”

Originally published as The Verdict: Winx and knowing nod to Sunline comparison