Features
Lack of early pace in Winx Stakes added an extra degree of difficulty for Winx
The champion mare, having her first start since winning the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) in April, Winx needed to produce her rare brand of acceleration and will-to-win before recording her 26th successive victory. Winx was resuming in what was previously Warwick Farm’s feature race, the weight-for-age Warwick Stakes (Gr 2, 1400m), upgraded and... Read More
More from Maiden Of The Week
Alexandra Dreaming (AUS) 3 f Written Tycoon – Umaquest by Umatilla
This looked to be a strong maiden plate on paper, with a host of already-raced individuals boasting some impressive placed form coming into this contest. Alexandra Dreaming, the eventual winner, is a filly worth following and looks to have justified her connections faith in supplementing her for the Thousand Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) at Caulfield... Read More
Wonderful Winx breaks more records
In the race formerly known as the Warwick Stakes but renamed in her honour, Winx won for the third straight year to record her 30th victory and 26th straight success, going past the great unbeaten sprinting mare Black Caviar (Bel Esprit), whose 25 was the Australian record. This was also a 19th Group 1 win... Read More
Winx a glorious exception to Murphy’s law
Except, it seems, if your name is Winx. While the extraordinary frequency of her stride length has been well canvassed of late her freakish winning run has to be as much about trainer Chris Waller’s incredible management in minimising the Murphy risk; his management in having her free from pain and injury; her heart and... Read More
York hoping increased Ebor prize-money will lure overseas raiders
The Ebor prize-money will, next year, be boosted to £1 million ($1.78 million) which almost certainly will have it as the richest Flat handicap in the northern hemisphere and ensure its status as a valued precursor to the world’s richest handicap race at Flemington (boosted, this year, to $7.3 million). It’s hoped that the increased... Read More
Appleby heading to the spring with a strong team
Perhaps the most telling sign of a trainer at the top of their game is a patient and well-placed campaign for a progressive horse and Appleby’s Hamada (Cape Cross), who secured his fifth consecutive victory when landing the Geoffrey Freer Stakes (Gr 3, 1m5.5f) at Newbury on Saturday, fits that bill perfectly, justifying the time... Read More