August 18, 2016
The Warwick Stakes Day on Saturday, 20 August at Royal Randwick will see the return of Sydney’s super mare Winx in the Group 2 $250,000 Warwick Stakes.
In what will be a great day for local community members, the Club is offering free entry to all Randwick City Council residents who present their rates notice at the gates.
As well as five Group races, there will be a range of free children’s activities to keep the entire family entertained all day.
Across the venue there will be face painting, pony rides, a petting zoo, a jumping castle, a bungee tramp as well as a special live performance by children’s favourite, Dorothy the Dinosaur, to ensure non-stop fun.
For the older kids, a Sydney FC soccer clinic will be run on the Centennial Lawn. Participants can pre-register to guarantee their place prior to the day by visiting www.theATC.com.au.
A presentation to NSW Metropolitan Premiership winning jockey, James McDonald, will be held be following race 3 to recognise the hoop for his achievement during the last racing season.
However all eyes will be on star mare Winx as she makes her return to the track.
Racegoers are encouraged to wear a touch of blue and upload their race day picture to Instagram with the hashtag #WinWithWinx for a lunch for two people to the Stables this Sydney Spring Carnival.
Winx cupcakes will also be distributed to the public between 12pm and 3pm before she takes to the track in the Group 2 $250,000 Warwick Stakes at 3.40pm.
The Chris Waller-trained five-year-old will be looking for her tenth consecutive win this start and has opened as the $1.35 TAB Fixed Odds favourite.
Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Lucia Valentina ($6.00 TAB Fixed Odds) for trainer Kris Lees is the closest competitor in the market. The six-year-old is proven over the distance on the Royal Randwick track.
The Sydney Spring Princess Series for three-year-old fillies begins this weekend with the running of the Group 2 $175,000 Alpha Flight Services Silver Shadow Stakes. From the Silver Shadow, the series goes forward to the Furious Stakes on 3 September, Tea Rose Stakes on 17 September and the Flight Stakes on 1 October.
Omei Sword for Waller Racing opens as the $3.00 TAB Fixed Odds favourite in the 1200m sprint. The filly has not raced since her ninth place run in the Inglis Sires Produce Stakes in April.
Michael Costa’s Manaya sits on the second line of betting after displaying good form in her sole career start with a 1.5 length win on 14 May.
Calliope (5.00 TAB Fixed Odds), trained by John O’Shea is the only other acceptor in the 11 horse field to open at single figures, and resumes after a midfield finish in the Longines Golden Slipper.
Adult general admission tickets are available for $15.00 at ticketek.com.au.
Gates Open at 11.00am with the first race at 12.00pm.
Royal Randwick offers a bus service running from Eddy Avenue directly to the course, with return services later in the day.
For all ticketing, hospitality, racing and general information visit www.theATC.com.au.
Image – Bradley Photos