Premier Sydney horseman Chris Waller has described his magnificent mare Winx as looking “picture perfect” ahead of her bid at a 21st straight turf triumph in Saturday’s 2017 Turnbull Stakes.
Winx could not be in better fitness or condition ahead of the 2017 Turnbull Stakes on Saturday. Photo: Steve Hart.
The Hall of Fame inducted daughter of Street Cry has not lost a race since her second to Gust Of Wind in the 2015 edition of the Group 1 ATC Oaks (2400m), and not even Waller could have predicted from her early career form how incredible a racehorse she would turn out to be.
“[She was winning] one in every two or three starts then something just clicked,” Waller told the media.
“She went to a whole new level.
“We definitely did not know this was what she was going to do.”
Winx is a now six-year-old and has won her last 20 straight starts for an impressive 13 Group 1 victories.
During that time however she has raced in Melbourne just three times for the dual Cox Plate trophies on the mantel and last year’s Ladbrokes Caulfield Stakes.
She heads towards a third straight success in the Group 1 $3 million Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 28, which will see her join Kingston Town (1980-82) as the only two triple Cox Plate champions in history.
But first Waller has the world-class Winx doing something she hasn’t done before, racing at Flemington Racecourse in the Group 1 $500,000 Seppelt Turnbull Stakes (2000m).
Despite her freakish ability and versatility overcoming a few far from perfect runs this spring, Winx has eased somewhat in Turnbull Stakes betting at Ladbrokes.com.au.
After opening as short as $1.12 the ace galloper is now out to $1.20 and punters won’t find her at a better price again if she wins this.
The challenger there giving punters something to back for the upset is the Darren Weir-trained Humidor ($5 into $4.60).
Unlike Flemington maiden Winx, the Teofilo five-year-old has been to Headquarters three times previously and shown a tremendous liking for the track with two Group 1 wins.
The latest of those on September 16 saw Humidor make a mess of the hot favourite and last year’s Turnbull Stakes winner Hartnell with a three and a quarter-length victory in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m).
Waller however has warned punters to take Winx on at their own risk, the mare having performed beautifully in her two Flemington gallops this week and looking the best he’s seen her.
“Yesterday would have been the best I have seen her. A horse goes through different stages, but yesterday she looked in the best possible condition,” he said.
“She was picture perfect, a horse that looks good on the outside, they say, is all good on the inside.”
Waller went on to say the fact Winx hadn’t had things all her way during her winning streak, especially this campaign, actually further boosted his confidence she would get the job done again this weekend.
“In her 20 wins she’s overcome falls, big names and picks herself up and gets the win,” he said.
“The runs this time in have been different, she missed a start, second run she just about broke a track record, so not worried about that one.
“Last up, firm track and great speed upfront, she’s done more than we would have expected or hoped, but she picked herself up and rose to the challenge.”
To bet on Winx at her generous Turnbull Stakes 2017 odds head to Ladbrokes.com.au today.