Winx makes timely and impressive reappearance

The timing wasn’t deliberate, but it could hardly have been better.

Less than 24 hours after the world’s highest-ranked racehorse Arrogate disappointed so dramatically at Del Mar on Saturday, Winx, his closest challenger in the international ratings, made the first public appearance of her latest preparation in Sydney.

And the champion Australian mare served notice that she is ready to take over the top spot.

In a Randwick trial over 900m, Winx steamed home under a tight hold to finish third. 

While there is a considerable gap between a barrier trial and a race, there seems little doubt Winx has returned in the same sparkling form she displayed when concluding her Autumn campaign with victory in the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in April.

That was the 17th successive win for the daughter of Darley’s much-lamented Street Cry, with number 18 scheduled for the G2 Warwick Stakes at Randwick on August 19.

Trainer Chris Waller said Winx would have another trial under race conditions, probably in two weeks.

He said Monday’s effort was ideal and that she is expected to produce a similar performance at her next outing.

As it was last Spring, Winx’s major target will be the G1 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley in October, that race to come at her fourth and final run of her current preparation.

In the latest edition of the World Thoroughbred Rankings released in May, Winx received a rating of 132, with Arrogate on 134, making her the highest-ranked turf galloper and the world’s top filly or mare.