WHO WILL WIN THE WINX STAKES?

Track: Royal Randwick Racecourse

Distance: 1400M

Conditions: Weight-for Age

Class: Group 1

Prize money: A$750,000

The Winx Stakes is the first Group 1 in the Australian racing calendar and is often a good warm-up for a horse’s spring campaign. In saying that, the race is still one of the premier sprint to middle distance races in Australia in its own right. Formally known as the Warwick Stakes (Group 2), the race received its current name and upgrade in class after Winx scored a hat-trick in the race in 2016, 2017 & 2018. Race statistics display that in the last 30 years of its running, it has been dominated by five-year-olds and six-year-olds with 18 wins collectively. Looking ahead to this year’s contest below are my top three fancies:

Anamoe ($2.80)– The field favourite and the one to beat an anomaly run latest but he was a dual Guineas winner last season and drops back down to a trip in which he hasn’t finished out of the top two.

Mo’unga ($6.50)– His last win came in this race last year but he clearly goes well fresh and despite not getting his head in front since, he came a respectable second two starts ago in the Caulfield Futurity Stakes (Group 1). Major player for the Annabel Neesham’s stable.

Fangirl (8$)- Disappointing last time out but won the Vinery Stud Stakes (Group 1) two starts ago and if she can repeat a similar performance against the boys on Saturday then has every chance. A largely consistent mare off joint bottom weight for champion trainer Chris Waller.

The Group 2 Silver Shadow Stakes and Group 3 Toy Show Country Quality additionally feature on Randwick’s Saturday card.