Champion racemare Winx and her similarly rated trainer Chris Waller take centre stage at Randwick this Saturday as the daughter of Street Cry chases her ninth consecutive win in the A$3 million G1 Doncaster Mile - on a seven-race simulcast program which includes four Group 1 races.
Both horse and trainer have continued to chalk up remarkable numbers as their success continues seemingly unabated.
Winx’s eight straight wins include five at Group 1 level; two at Saturday’s course and distance and, of course, the G1 Cox Plate which is rated Australia’s number one race. Victory on Saturday would be the 13th win of her career before she likely backs up in the A$4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes the following Saturday.
For Waller, it’s almost become matter of course that a Group 1 will come his way at most major meetings. He won G1 The BMW with Preferment last Saturday to take his tally to 14 Group 1 wins for the season, matching his tally of the previous season.
Waller will saddle up seven Group 1 contestants on Saturday, with at least one in each of the four major races, but it is Winx who is a short priced favourite to add to Waller’s Group 1 CV despite the fact that the handicap conditions see her disadvantaged against many of her rivals.
Her past four wins have come under weight-for-age conditions following a handicap success under 126lb in the G1 Epsom Handicap, at Saturday’s course and distance, last October. She carries 125lb on Saturday.
“Luck plays its part in planning and in races so you can’t be too picky,” Waller said, “yes it’s a handicap on Saturday and it will be tough to win with that big weight but it’s perfect timing going into the G1 Queen Elizabeth. The owners are happy to run and therefore she runs.”
Hugh Bowman, fresh from his G1 successes on 26 March on Preferment and on Werther in the Hong Kong Derby on 20 March, takes the ride on Winx while Zac Purton flies in to ride stablemate Kermadec who will be competitive with the mare according to Waller.
“Kermadec’s work has been very good, his fitness level have steadily improved and he’ll be fitter again on Saturday. He has a gap to bridge on Winx but gets a little turn around in his favour at the weights,” Waller said of the horse who was second to Winx in the G1 George Ryder Stakes on 19 March. Kermadec won the Doncaster Mile last year, albeit with much less weight – 110lb.
Meanwhile, Melbourne trainer Mick Price is confident that Tarzino can continue his winning form in the G1 Australian Derby.
"He's had a really good preparation and this is obviously the first trip away for the big lad," Price said, ‘his last race (G1 Rosehill Guineas) has brought him on and the horse is spot on. Certainly on the Tuesday before the Derby I've got no complaints. I can’t fault the horse.”
As a result of a change of race order, the Hong Kong Jockey Club will simulcast The Country Championships Final (1400m) on 2 April instead of the Chairman’s Handicap as announced on 28 March. Start time of the first simulcast race on Doncaster Mile Day remains the same at Hong Kong time 10:55am.
