Immortals Winx and Black Caviar Honoured at Royal Randwick
21 August, 2024
The first Group 1 of the 2024/25 Sydney racing year – the 101st running of the $1 million Winx Stakes – holds centre stage at Royal Randwick on Saturday as the Australian Turf Club honours two of the sport’s immortals.
The Group 1 Winx Stakes in honour of Australia’s iconic and world-record breaking mare, has attracted a host of the nation’s best weight-for-age gallopers ahead of Sydney’s spectacular Everest Carnival.
Winx’s champion trainer Chris Waller – who has won the race seven times including three times with Winx – has six runners on Saturday including early favourite and last year’s winner Fangirl ($2.10 TAB Fixed Odds) with James McDonald aboard.
The Australian Turf Club on Saturday also pays special tribute to another modern-day racing immortal in Black Caviar, who lost her life last week at age 18.
A moment’s silence and special video tributes throughout the day will feature Black Caviar’s remarkable unbeaten 25-start career, including her farewell victory at Royal Randwick in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes of 2013.
Australian Turf Club Chief Executive Matt Galanos said world racing fans had been privileged in the past decade to witness Winx and Black Caviar.
“These two remarkable thoroughbreds along with their trainers, jockeys and connections gave racing so many of its biggest moments over so many years,’’ Mr Galanos said.
“We forever salute Winx at Royal Randwick with her own grandstand and this race named in her honour.
“We are also very grateful for the career of Black Caviar including another magic moment in Royal Randwick history at her final race.’’
Saturday’s 10-race card begins at 11.45am with the last race due to jump at 5.05pm.
Full fields for the Royal Randwick meeting are available here and TAB Fixed Odds early prices and movers available here.
Behind Fangirl in betting, two more of Chris Waller’s star mares are Via Sistina ($6-$5.50/Kerrin McEvoy) and Zougotcha ($11-$9.50 TAB/Tommy Berry) have attracted early support.
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott mare Tropical Squall ($11-$10) with Adam Hyeronimus is next in markets.
Eight of the 12 runners in the Winx Stakes have already won at least one Group 1 race and collectively have earned almost $30 million in prizemoney.
Saturday’s program includes several other Group races including the first leg of the Darley Princess Series – the Group 2 $300,000 Darley Silver Shadow Stakes, headed by Manaal in TAB markets ($3.30-$3.50) for trainer Michael Freedman and jockey Jason Collett.
Godolphin’s Zeitung (James Cummings and Zac Lloyd) is next at $5 TAB ahead of the strongly backed Ameena ($8-$5.50 TAB) for Anthony and Sam Freedman and James McDonald.
Three other Group 3 races feature on Saturday – the $250,000 Hyland Race Colours Show County Quality, $250,000 James Squire Toy Show Quality and $250,000 National Jockeys Trust Premier’s Cup.
The popular Winter Long Lunch package at the Winning Post concludes its run at Rosehill Gardens on 31 August 2024, with offers and details here.
For all racing, hospitality, general and full ticketing information for Saturday and upcoming racedays across the Sydney Everest Carnival visit http://theraces.com.au.
AUSTRALIAN TURF CLUB MEDIA CONTACT:
Brett de Vine
0419 613 455
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