Winx’s Ascot decision coming after super mare’s next race

Trainer Chris Waller plans to decide after Winx’s next start, in the March 17 George Rider Stakes at Rosehill, whether the Australian super mare will take on the world’s best later this year at Royal Ascot.

Waller told racing.com that “by holding (a decision) back, we're allowing her form to say, 'Yep, I'm ready to go. I’m just as good as I've ever been,’ or, 'I'm just starting to lose my dominance and it's probably best to keep me at home and race in Australia and perhaps go for a fourth Cox Plate.’”

A 7-year-old daughter of Street Cry, Winx won her 23rd straight race this weekend in Randwick’s Chipping Norton and in the process tied the great John Henry’s mark of career Group/Grade 1 victories at 16.

After the George Rider, Winx is likely to run again in Australia on April 14. She could then make the trip to Europe.

"But I think realistically we wouldn't be going for too many races if we went overseas — probably one,” Waller told racing.com.

Winx’s camp has been in contact with Royal Ascot, according to previous reports, to determine which race would be the right fit for her should she make the trip. The mare showed plenty of dominance in her 2018 debut, rallying from second-last to win under a hand ride in the Chipping Norton.