Champion mare Winx will race with synthetic filler in her near hind hoof when she attempts to win her twenty-fifth consecutive race when she steps out in the 2018 Group 1 $4m Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick today.
Winx, above, will race with synthetic hoof filler in her near hind hoof in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
Trainer Chris Waller notified Racing New South Stewards on Friday afternoon that Winx would be racing with synthetic hoof filler on her hind foot which was applied when the farrier plated her yesterday for today’s contest.
Racing New South Wales stewards released the following statement late on Friday afternoon.
“Racing NSW Stewards have approved the addition of a small amount of Synthetic Hoof Filler to the inside of the near hind hoof of Winx, who will be running in the $4m Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
“Trainer Chris Waller has advised the hoof filler has been applied to assist in the plating of the mare today.”
The Randwick track for day two of The Championships has been rated a Good 4 which is unusual for this time of the year with Winx winning last’s year’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes on a Soft 7.
The state of the track won’t affect the performance of the three times Cox Plate winner who has found the winner’s stall on all track conditions from good to heavy and Waller said that the super mare can handle a fast run race or a moderately run race with her sensational turn of foot.
“I’ve got no concerns over the firm track,’’ Waller told The Daily Telegraph.
“If it is not as strongly run as we expect, she has a great turn of foot anyway.’’
“She has that air of arrogance on race day where she knows she can pick them up and whatever she puts her body through to be able to do it, she seems to be able to.
“She certainly knows what she is here for but is enjoying life.
“Her body language suggests she is a very happy horse.”
Winx heads into the Queen Elizabeth Stakes with only two Autumn Carnival runs under her belt but Waller is confident that she is in excellent order to make it back to back wins in the $4m weight for age battle.
“We had her fully prepared for her first-up run, it was a Group 1 mile race so she was very fit,’’ Waller said.
“Winx is a supreme athlete and we have learned how best to train her and what works for her.
“I couldn’t be happier with her fitness. I’ve probably put a little bit more work into her so she is prepared for a really tough 2000m race and ready for all scenarios.’’
Waller’s champion mare has been super impressive at her two Sydney Autumn Carnival outings with a seven lengths first up win in the Group 1 $600,000 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on March 3 followed by a comprehensive win in the George Ryder Stakes.
The news of the hoof filler has seen Winx’s price for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes drift out from $1.16 to $1.18 at Ladbrokes.com.au while the second favourite Humidor has firmed a dollar from $12 to $11.
Winx has drawn the outside barrier in the ten horse Queen Elizabeth Stakes field with regular rider Hugh Bowman back in the saddle again.
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