STARS ALIGN AT ROYAL RANDWICK FOR WINX STAKES IN HONOUR OF RACING’S IMMORTAL MARE
August 17, 2022
The Australian Turf Club honours an immortal of racing this Saturday with the running of the first Group 1 of the new season – the $750,000 Winx Stakes at Royal Randwick.
A star-studded field of 11 runners, with combined prizemoney of more than $22 million and headed in TAB Fixed Odds markets by multiple Group 1 winners Anamoe, Mo’Unga and Forbidden Love, line up in the Group 1 $750,000 Winx Stakes.
The Winx Stakes was named by the Australian Turf Club in honour of the mighty mare who captivated world racing over several seasons, winning 37 of her 43 starts, including her last 33 starts in succession and a world record prizemoney total of almost $27 million.
The Australian Turf Club is hosting a Champions Lunch in the Royal Randwick Ballroom to pay tribute to Winx and her connections, along with two other champions of Australian racing in Black Caviar and Octagonal.
Limited tickets to the function remain available here with Winx’s part-owners Debbie Kepitis and Peter Tighe, Octagonal’s regular jockey Darren Beadman, and Black Caviar’s one-time travelling stable representative and now Sydney trainer Clare Cunningham amongst the special guests.
Australian Turf Club Chairman Matthew McGrath said the Winx Stakes and Champions Lunch celebrated an Australian sporting icon alongside two other of modern racing’s most popular horses.
“Royal Randwick was the scene of so many of Winx’s incredible victories including her unforgettable farewell as we join on Saturday to celebrate Sydney’s first Group 1 of the season,’’ Mr McGrath said.
“There could be no more fitting horse or occasion as we head towards the biggest Spring Carnival in Sydney racing history with a day and Group 1 race in honour of Winx.
“We look forward to world-class racing on the track and to welcoming all general admission customers to visit the stunning new Winx Stand overlooking the Royal Randwick home straight.’’
Anamoe for trainer James Cummings and jockey James McDonald has opened a $2.60-$2.70 TAB favourite for the Group 1 Winx Stakes.
The four-year-old has already won three Group 1 races and been placed five other times from nine starts in majors.
High-class mare Forbidden Love has been a strongly supported second favourite early in betting ($6-$4.80 TAB) for trainer Michael Freedman and top Sydney jockey Rachel King.
Mo’Unga for Annabel Neasham and with Tommy Berry aboard is $6-$6.50 TAB as horse, jockey and trainer look for back-to-back wins in the race.
Fangirl ($8-$8.50 TAB) would be a fitting winner of the Winx Stakes, trained by the legendary mare’s trainer Chris Waller and ridden by her jockey Hugh Bowman.
Fangirl’s owners are the Ingham family – who race horses in the famous all cerise colours carried by the mighty Octagonal – and included in this family ownership group is Debbie and Paul Kepitis, part-owners of Winx.
Saturday’s 10-race card includes the first leg of the Darley Princess Series for three-year-old fillies with the Group 2 $250,000 Darley Silver Shadow Stakes.
Godolphin filly In Secret for James Cummings and James McDonald is the early $3.60-$3.30 TAB favourite ahead of another well-supported runner in Willinga Beast ($8-$6.50 TAB) for trainer Kris Lees and jockey Hugh Bowman.
Saturday also sees the running of three Group 3 races – the $200,000 Mostyn Copper Show County Quality, $200,000 ACJC Premier’s Cup and $200,000 Laurel Oak Toy Show Quality.
Full fields for Saturday’s Royal Randwick meeting can be found here and full TAB markets for all races here.
The Australian Turf Club is offering a Punters Pack special – with a $39 ticket ($60 value) which includes general admission entry, two Furphy beverage vouchers, a $10 food voucher and a racebook.
For all racing, hospitality, general and full ticketing information for Saturday and upcoming racedays across the Sydney Everest Carnival click here.