Winx has continued her incredible run of form at Royal Randwick this afternoon; using the entire length of the straight to run down a runaway Red Excitement in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m).
Winx mustered a big turn of foot to beat Red Excitement late in the Chelmsford Stakes. Photo: Steve Hart
The champion mare was not fractious in the barriers this afternoon and jumped in a line with her competitors; taking a position midfield and on the fence.
Settling into a typically good rhythm, the Street Cry mare began working into the race earlier than usual after Red Excitement kicked more than ten length clear at the bend.
Once again allowing the mare to go through her gears and trusting the engine that he had underneath him, Bowman actually dropped his whip with a furlong to travel, but still managed to pilot the mare to an exciting half-length win.
Winx continues to impress Bowman with each performance and win and the leading hoop was again lost for words after winning the Chelmsford Stakes.
“He (Josh Parr, Red Excitement) left no stone unturned,” Bowman said after the race.
“I was comfortable in the first quarter of the race, but I could see what was happening and so I started to make my way a bit closer from the 900m mark, but I still had to stay within myself.
“At the top of the straight, I wasn’t worried last start but today I really was and what she did today was just incredible.
“Everything she does is incredible, but I’m just lost for words.
“When she hit the afterburners at the 150m mark today, I can’t explain the feeling.”
Trainer Chris Waller was on hand for Winx’s incredible win in the Chelmsford Stakes and said that the performance suggests she is at the peak of her form.
“It was very exciting,”
“They turned the race on and I guess tried to break us up. It’s not what you like to see when you’ve got a horse like her chasing like that, but fair play to them, he did run second, he didn’t fall out and run last.
“It just proved that she’s at her best and it’s hard to beat a horse at their best.
“With 400m to run today I was more concerned than I was first-up. I thought she was going to get there easily first-up with her momentum.
“She pulled them back very well.
“We’ll probably skip a race along the way, but I doubt it will be the George Main. We’ll get another Group 1 against her name and go from there.”
Winx remains a resounding $1.60 favourite in early Cox Plate betting markets at Ladbrokes.com.au.
