Winx nearing the end

Chris Waller has come as close as he ever has to confirming Winx’s impending retirement, claiming it was logical to assume the end is just two races away.

Waller was at Flemington on Tuesday morning to oversee the gallops of some of his Group 1 chances at the upcoming Super Saturday meeting when he spoke of making the most out of the final few weeks with the best racing thoroughbred in the world.

“It’s not long to go now, which is a different type of feeling,’’ Waller told Racing.com.

“In saying that, we haven’t really known where the end is, but it’s looking logical now that it’s not far away.

“We’ll try and make the most of the next few weeks ahead and hopefully she can continue on her winning ways and keep that fairytale going for the massive following she has now attracted.”

Winx won her 23rd Group 1 race, her 31st consecutive race and her fourth Chipping Norton Stakes at Randwick last Saturday in what now appears most likely to be the third last time we’ll see her race.

As for her next assignment, Waller indicated, the Group 1 $1 million $700,000 George Ryder Stakes over 1500 metres on March 23 was at this stage preferred to the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes over 2000 metres on the same day.

That race would pave the way for her finale in the $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes over 2000 metres at Randwick on April 13.

Waller said after her win on Saturday that the Ranvet was a 10 per cent chance but the odds have changed slightly over the past few days.

“Rosehill will be her next race,” he said. “Nine per cent the Ranvet, 91 per cent the George Ryder.”

As for her Chipping Norton win, Waller said Winx would derive benefit from the test put up by Happy Clapper.

“She’s come through it well. That’s Winx,” he said.

“It was good to see her have a bit of test and interesting to see the ratings people say she rated well.

“She can basically do that every time she runs but she needs the competition to be able to stimulate her.

“It was good to get a really good workout into her and it will bring her on nicely for her next two races. She ate up on Saturday night and Sunday night which is always a great sign.

“She’s nice and free in her action and she’s just an amazing horse.”