Winx ‘moving as well as ever’ ahead of Apollo Stakes

Winx contested a second barrier trial of 2019 on Tuesday morning at Rosehill Gardens as she approaches her next start Feb. 16 in the Apollo Stakes at Royal Randwick. While the Australian champion didn’t make a move until late in her trial two weeks earlier, Tuesday she finished within a length of the first horse to cross the wire.

Regular jockey Hugh Bowman was aboard for the fitness test.

“As we saw last trial, she missed the start, so I just put her in a bit earlier today just to make her stand there a bit longer and behave herself, which she did,” Bowman said. “Obviously jumped well. I just made her be a bit closer today too, just made her concentrate.

"I think with her maturity, she got a habit of being a little bit too relaxed, for want of a better wording, in her trials. Without making her do too much, I just made sure she concentrated a bit more and she responded well.”

Winx was second to last in the 1000-meter trial after the break and worked her way up on the outside when entering the turn. She was closing in on the two horses ahead of her, who hit the wire head-to-head. 

Though Winx is known for her exhilarating turn of foot, she appears to know the difference between morning trials and afternoon races. 

“She wouldn’t have blown a candle out after the trial this morning, whereas last trial she had a pretty good puff,” Bowman added. “So I think the fitness has taken the progression since that trial and she’s moving as well as ever.”

Winx will attempt to win her 30th consecutive race in the Apollo. Earlier this month she was announced the Longines World’s Best Racehorse, a title she shares with Great Britain’s Cracksman. She was rated the world’s best turf horse and the world’s best mare the two years before.

Trained by Chris Waller for Debbie Kepitis, Peter Tighe and Richard Treweeke, Winx is nearing her retirement at the age of 8. Connections are taking this likely final campaign one race at a time.

“I guess it’s mixed thoughts,” Waller said. “From my perspective, it’s just been a pleasure to be associated with her and everything that’s come with her success and the people that have followed her and the great story behind her. We know that retirement’s getting close, but I think we’re fully focused on each race as it comes and just taking that day by day, and looking for the obvious signs, which haven’t been evident yet, to see her slowing down.”