Home track hitout has Winx on target

[Chief Stipe]

Winx has tuned up for her penultimate start in the George Ryder Stakes with an exhibition gallop at Rosehill and trainer Chris Waller says she is ready to rumble.

With regular jockey Hugh Bowman at Flemington for the All-Star Mile meeting, Kerrin McEvoy warmed the saddle on Winx as she sailed through the heavy conditions to clock 36.98 seconds for her final 600 metres.

Waller described it as “perfect” work and said the raceday exercise was an important part of her conditioning programme.

“We’ve always done it when she’s had three weeks between runs, we bring her here today for an exhibition gallop,” Waller said. “It just seems to fit in well, it brings her back down to earth.

“And that’s Winx, she’s just ready to explode. It makes my job a lot easier.”

McEvoy was rapt to have another sit aboard Winx, who will chase her 36^th career win in the George Ryder, her final race at her home track of Rosehill.

“It was good to get a sit on her again, she’s in good order,” McEvoy said. “She zipped around there in good style and it was pleasing to see her get through the work.

“She’s got wet track form and she skipped across it like it was nice ground for her.”

Waller could start two stablemates against Winx in the 1500-metre George Ryder Stakes next Saturday, Sandown Guineas winner Ringerdingding and Australian Cup runner-up Shillelagh.

Winx is scheduled to have her final start in the A$4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on April 13.

 

View the full article