It might be late winter but the running of the Winx Stakes marks the unofficial beginning of the spring carnival. The field has in total won 55 races and more than $20 million in prizemoney. Here’s our runner-by-runner preview for the 2022 Winx Stakes.
It’s starting to be a fairly long run of outs for him albeit his last win did come in this race last year. Typically runs well first up (5:3-1-1) and he is right in the mix.
Genuine stayer who will need the run.
Outstanding two and three year old who is now looking to do it at four. Trainer James Cummings has said that his main target is the Cox Plate and I expect him to have plenty of fitness improvement in him still, and there is still a question mark over how strong that three year old form was last season. Not saying he can’t win, but short enough at $2.40.
I’ll be interested to see how he goes because the boom on him was massive prior to a disappointing autumn. Expecting him to need the run either way.
Couple of lengths off the best three year olds in his year and didn’t do much first up. Pass.
Real staying type who will need further than this.
Quality mare over the odds here. Yes, her best form is over longer trips but she has run some good races over a mile or so (last year’s Cameron Handicap, this year’s Chipping Norton for example) when fresh. Likely needs this but class can take you a long way in these races.
My top pick. Yes, she was disappointing in the Missile but if you can overlook that, she profiles tremendously well for this race and has a fitness edge on her key rivals. Expect Rachel King to press forward from the wide draw and if she gets some soft sectionals, be hard to run down.
Heavily backed with TopSport after markets went up, in from $17 to $9. No doubt he is a highly promising galloper, but this is a massive leap in class and the price looks well and truly short enough now.
Fangirl is another smart three year old resuming here at four and likely to find herself back near last given how Chris Waller likes his horses to be ridden from wide draws. Looking around her.
Like her stablemate Fangirl, Hinged is a four year old resuming but she has good form over these shorter trips and has some tactical speed if Nash wants to use it (and Waller allows). Not sure she can win but certainly a place hope.
Best Bet
Forbidden Love is a classy mare who can bounce back to her best.
