WINX MEDIA RELEASE: 20th September 2017

Dear Media,

On behalf of the owners, Hugh Bowman and myself please refer to the below media release in regards to Winx. Hugh Bowman (pending a release from Stewards on raceday), myself and a representative of the ownership group will be available to answer any questions today at Warwick Farm Racecourse from 2.15pm.

I am extremely pleased with the way Winx has pulled up following her win in the G1 Colgate Optic White George Main Stakes on Saturday. I could not be happier with her recovery since the run and she continues to maintain her weight approximately 10kg heavier than what she was when winning the 2016 Cox Plate.

All bodes well heading towards the 2017 Ladbrokes Cox Plate and after giving careful consideration to her current racing campaign it is likely her next run will be at Flemington on October 7 in the G1 Seppelt Turnbull Stakes. The sole reason for running here as the most likely option is simply based on the timing of the current program which will provide her with 3 weeks between runs from the George Main to the Turnbull and another 3 weeks into the Cox Plate for her 5th run of the campaign. Whilst this is her intended path, if she was not to run in the Turnbull it would be my intentions to run in the Craven Plate on October 14 at Royal Randwick before heading to Melbourne in preparation for the Ladbrokes Cox Plate.

It is my intentions to remove the ear muffs from her race day gear for her next start as Hugh and I don’t feel they are required.

As has always been the case, I will continue to be guided by the horse and what I feel is best for her when planning her racing preparations. I am very mindful of how well received she is each time she races, however her longevity is of the utmost importance and this is evident by the limited racing she does each preparation.

To ease speculation on her future beyond 2017, I look forward to the Autumn and a possible trip overseas but at this stage no decision on this will be made until after the George Ryder Stakes in 2018. During her 20 race winning streak, she has raced on 2 occasions in Brisbane, 3 occasions in Melbourne and 15 times in Sydney but obviously internationally racing possesses a great deal of appeal.

Providing she is well she will either run during The Championships in the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes and look to target a race during the Royal Ascot carnival or be freshened up subsequent to the George Ryder Stakes and be targeted towards a European campaign containing 3 races over a range of distances.

Obviously this is a long term plan and my team and I would much prefer to focus on the current campaign as we head towards such an important time of the Australian Racing season.

Kind Regards Chris Waller

Chris Waller Racing Pty Ltd
(02) 9760 5700
www.cwallerracing.com