This weekend at Royal Randwick Winx is set to equal Phar Lap on 14 consecutive turf triumphs in the 2017 Apollo Stakes first-up and trainer Chris Waller believes it is the mare’s will-to-win that makes her so incredible.
The incredible Winx is back first-up in Saturday’s Apollo Stakes 2017 at Royal Randwick. Photo: Steve Hart.
It isn’t just the racing industry that has come down with Winx fever ahead of the dual Cox Plate champion’s return in the $250,000 Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m).
In the same fashion that Black Caviar became a household name with even the most vaguest of racing enthusiasts, Winx is now all the rage when it comes to talk of the turf.
She hasn’t been beaten since April of 2015 and has enjoyed nine elite level wins during that time to amass over $9.34 million in prize money.
There is certainly something special about this daughter of Street Cry who has won over 1100m – 2200m, dominated handicap races like the Doncaster Mile and become a genuine weight-for-age hero.
Her versatility and effortlessness cruising past her rivals to hit the line first are part of what makes her so amazing to watch.
Waller believes that the mare’s regular rider Hugh Bowman, aboard once again in the Apollo Stakes, does a great job but that at the end of the day it all about Winx and her “will-to-win”.
“What a lot of people don’t know about Winx is her determination — that is what makes her a great racehorse,” he told The Daily Telegraph.
“It is not what Chris Waller does, yes Hugh Bowman has done an amazing job riding her, but it is Winx’s determination that sets her apart.
“She has a lovely action and presence, but her will-to-win is incredible.
“In some races, she has been unlucky in the run, drawn wide, tested in all track conditions, but she has overcome all these issues and beaten some very good horses.”
Bowman agreed and credited Winx for her quick acceleration amongst other superstar qualities that have seen her firm into a $1.14 price in Apollo Stakes betting at Ladbrokes.com.au this weekend.
“She is so well-balanced, light on her feet, and she can accelerate very quickly,” he said.
“But it is her will-to-win and her determination that makes her so good. I’ve never ridden a horse like her.”
Hartnell ($9.50) is the only other runner under double-figures in the latest Apollo Stakes odds and the Godolphin galloper is unlikely to score the boilover when he faces Winx for a fifth time.
“At five years of age, I would not say her best is ahead of her but I would say she is in her prime,” Bowman added.
“Winx ran the fastest Cox Plate in history and broke the track record two years ago but she beat what I feel was a better field last year and beat them by a record margin [of eight lengths].”
To back Winx to win the Apollo Stakes at $1.80 head to Ladbrokes.com.au now (T&Cs apply / Max Bet $25).
