Despite giving star miler Happy Clapper a five length head start approaching the turn, Winx was able to produce her customary whirlwind finish to hit the front and then race clear for a soft win.
The win elevated Winx to the head of world racing – no racehorse, whether a flat or jumper, has won as many Group One races and if things go to plan that tally looks set to grow over the coming weeks.
Trainer Chris Waller said he was pleased that his champion galloper was asked to work harder today after her easy first up win in the Group Two Apollo Stakes a fortnight ago.
Thanks to the strongly mid-race speed from Happy Clapper and the powerful finish from Winx the time run was a new race record, despite Bowman throttling off late.
“It was certainly no easy feat. I thought Winx would either beat him if they go too slow or they go too fast. I would say they almost got it right. Under pressure she is very good,” Waller said.
“It was a good test for her and will bring her on nicely for the next couple of runs because they need stimulating.”
“They need to do it under race conditions to get that. It is looking good for three weeks time and then three weeks after that.”
Hugh Bowman said while some of the crowd may have been worried approaching the turn when Happy Clapper cleared out to a big lead, he wasn’t overly concerned.
“Another jockey may have thought that, but I knew when I balanced up she was going to rally, there was no way Happy Clapper could sustain that speed and I knew that when she balanced up, she would have the energy required to reel him in.”
“And I’ll be honest, although I was pushing her she was doing it with relative ease, and I think if I would have struck her she would have found another couple of lengths,” Bowman added.
The incomparable champion was bred by the Camilleri family’s Fairway Thoroughbreds and sold through the draft of Coolmore Stud at the 2013 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Offered as Lot 329 the then filly caught the eye of connections including bloodstock agent Guy Mulcaster and Waller and Peter Tighe’s Magic Bloodstock signed for her when auctioneer Grant Burns dropped his gavel at $230,000.
With over $23.4 million in earnings and world records for group race streaks, consecutive Group One wins and number of wins at racing’s elite level, Winx has become one of the world’s greatest ever racehorses.
She will be out to extend this incredible record when she steps out in the Group One George Ryder Stakes (1500m) in three weeks. Her likely swansong will come in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) another three weeks after that.
Winner: Winx
Breeding: Street Cry-Vegas Showgirl (Al Akbar)
Race: ATC Chipping Norton Stakes G1 (1600m)
Sold for: $230,000
Sale: 2013 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Coolmore Stud (As Agent)
Buyer: Magic Bloodstock
Earnings: $23,429,670
Owner(s): Magic Bloodstock (Mgr: PG Tighe), RG Treweeke & Mrs DN Kepitis
Trainer: Chris Waller (Rosehill)
