WINX STAKES - 1400m, Randwick R8
Group 1 racing returns on Saturday, in the form of the Winx Stakes over 1400m at Royal Randwick. It’s the first race at the elite level for the 2023/24 season, and it’s attracted a capacity field of high quality, each horse rated 102 or higher, bringing together a mix of proven veterans, unfulfilled potential, and a series of four-year-old’s looking to prove themselves as older horses.
The track is rated in the heavy as of Wednesday night, but there is fine weather forecast with the chance of rain on Friday. You’d be hoping we’re on the better side of soft.
Zaaki is the starting point, as the most proven warrior in the field with four Group 1 wins and an All Star Mile. He has resumed at 1400m three times in Australia for two wins and a second to Giga Kick, but do his nine-year-old legs still have the sharpness to beat a field like this? He certainly trialled well enough to suggest so.
Fangirl and Hinged, a pair of Chris Waller mares, haven’t won since March and February 2022 respectively.
Since then, Fangirl has run four WFA placings behind Anamoe, including second to him in this race last year, and was also second in the Golden Eagle. She’s a seriously talented mare that often finds herself too far back, but there is no Anamoe is this field now. Of the eight Waller runners, James McDonald is on her, also despite his long association with Zaaki.
While Fangirl prefers it drier, Hinged is the wet-tracker if the course comes up that way. She split Anamoe and Fangirl when resuming at 1400m last prep, and is capable of springing a surprise if ridden forward.
There are five four-year-old’s looking to make the step up, and all of them had an impact at the age of three last season. Communist won the Randwick Guineas and looks the forgotten horse here, remembering he was only a length of Anamoe and Fangirl in the George Ryder. Golden Mile won the Caulfield Guineas, and you have to forgive his first-up run after Big Parade devastatingly broke down and put him out of the race.
Osipenko was the run of the race in the Caulfield Guineas when third, won the Hobartville, and was extremely competitive against older horses in the George Ryder and Doncaster. He might be the best of his age here, but has an awfully wide barrier to contend with. Linderman won the Rosehill Guineas and has been trialling well, but might want it a touch further. Major Beel won the ATC Derby on a bog track, and we will see what his level is soon enough.
Montefilia will have eyes on her, first-up for Chris Waller after a very good career for David Payne. Princess Grace is an ex-USA mare having her second prep for Waller, and is also a watch. Mo’unga put together an excellent preparation in the autumn, and might finally have developed maturity and consistency. It’s great to see Think It Over resuming after 16 months off the scene due to injury.
The most interesting runner is King Colorado, if he gets in the field as first emergency. He is a Maher/Eustace three-year-old, and they are a camp that aren’t afraid to try a different method of attack. It is rare for a three-year-old to tackle older horses in August and September, rather than their own age, but the JJ Atkins winner may do exactly that with a little bit of residual fitness from Brisbane on his side.
Selections: 1.Fangirl 2.Osipenko 3.Hinged 4.Zaaki
FANGIRL
EACH-WAY
* Odds Correct At Time Of Posting. Check Playup Website For Latest Odds
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