Source: Caryl Williamson AAP //

Glamour mare Winx is both physically and mentally ready to shine in her autumn campaign, according to regular jockey Hugh Bowman,

Winx was not asked to do a great deal in her 900m barrier trial at Rosehill yesterday morning, but still found the line strongly to finish sixth behind Group 1 winner Trapeze Artist.

But it was how she went into the gates that pleased Bowman the most.

The daughter of Street Cry has had barrier issues in the past, most notably when she missed the start in the Group 2 Warwick Stakes (1400m) last August.

That incident almost brought her undone and ended her winning streak.

“I’m happier with her temperament than I was at this time last preparation,” Bowman said.

“I didn’t ask her to do a great deal in the trial, but I was pleased with how relaxed and happy she was going into the barriers.

“I’m always focusing on the starts. She can be a bit fractious, but she was well behaved today.

“It’s special to have her back and to have her so happy.”

Winx was only two lengths off Randwick Guineas-bound Trapeze Artist.

Trainer Chris Waller was heartened by Bowman’s feedback and said the mare had come out of her record-equalling third Cox Plate win in great order.

“She has come back the same weight as she was before the Cox Plate, so that shows me she is on target,” he said. “She will have another barrier trial and then go to the Apollo Stakes which is 26 days from now.”

Waller reiterated there would be no decision on a Royal Ascot campaign until after Winx’s third autumn start in the George Ryder Stakes on March 24.

“We are just taking it one race at a time,” he said.

“Ascot is in the picture. A lot of people want her to go. But to take a horse to the other side of the world, you must respect how hard it is and we never want to push her where she can’t go.

“The horse comes first and we will do the best for her.

“She’ll tell us.” AAP