Champion mare Winx is set to line up amongst a strong field in her first-up run on Saturday after being confirmed as one of eleven 2017 Warwick Stakes nominations this morning.
Winx is one of eleven nominations for Saturday’s Group 2 Warwick Stakes at Royal Randwick. Photo: Steve Hart
Winx has posted an incredible seventeen-consecutive race wins in the lead-up to her 2017 Spring Carnival campaign and is primed for a typically strong first-up run.
Resuming in autumn for a smart win in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m), the Street Cry mare comfortably beat a classy field to the line in the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) before beating some of the Autumn Carnival’s best horses by close to eight length in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m).
Last seen posting a dominant win in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) on Day 2 of The Championships, Winx has trialled exceedingly well in the lead-up to the Warwick Stakes and should just win the race.
Trainer Chris Waller is set to launch a multi-pronged attack in the race after also including Antonio Giuseppe, Who Shot Thebarman and Foxplay in 2017 Warwick Stakes nominations.
Antonio Giuseppe was a revelation upon debuting for Waller last spring; post four-consecutive race wins before finishing second in the Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m).
Fourth in the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) most notably in autumn, the Shocking gelding will undoubtedly need this run before finding his best form.
A Melbourne Cup prospect once more this season, Who Shot Thebarman has trialled well in the lead-up to the Warwick Stakes, but will improve further into his campaign and over longer distances.
Foxplay broke through for a maiden win at the highest level during her recent Autumn Carnival campaign and is a live chance of a first-three finish in the Warwick Stakes.
Returning to winning form in the Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) first-up on March 11th, the Foxwedge mare ran a credible fourth in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) before flying home to win the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) on Day 2 of The Championships.
Invincible Gem returned to the races for a smart win in the Group 2 Missile Stakes (1200m) a fortnight ago and is arguably the best chance of any included in 2017 Warwick Stakes nominations of challenging Winx.
Winner of the Group 3 Spring Stakes (1600m) early in February, the I Am Invincible mare ran a close second behind Inference in the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) before being sent to the paddock.
Inference has also been included in 2017 Warwick Stakes nominations, but is another horse that will likely need a run before finding his best racing condition.
The 2017 Warwick Stakes field and barrier draw is due to be completed and released by midday, Wednesday.
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2017 Warwick Stakes Nominations
| # | Last 10 | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | Hcp Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3x5543321x | ALLERGIC | G | 6 | James Cummings | 106 |
| 2 | 1112x1240x | ANTONIO GIUSEPPE (NZ) | G | 5 | Chris Waller | 103 |
| 3 | 16x113380x | ECUADOR (NZ) | G | 8 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | 110 |
| 4 | 114x24141x | FOXPLAY | M | 4 | Chris Waller | 110 |
| 5 | 31212652×5 | HARPER’S CHOICE | H | 4 | Gerald Ryan | 89 |
| 6 | 1433x5126x | INFERENCE | H | 4 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | 100 |
| 7 | x1541112x1 | INVINCIBLE GEM | M | 4 | Kris Lees | 108 |
| 8 | 613311255x | RED EXCITEMENT | G | 8 | Gerald Ryan | 108 |
| 9 | 7255x3642x | WHO SHOT THEBARMAN (NZ) | G | 9 | Chris Waller | 108 |
| 10 | 1111x1111x | WINX | M | 6 | Chris Waller | 132 |
| 11 | 0560x2612x | ZANBAGH | M | 7 | John P Thompson | 108 |