Winx’s main rival and stablemate Unforgotten has been scratched from today’s Group 1 $500,000 Colgate Optic White (George Main) Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.
Unforgotten, above, has been scratched from the 2018 George Main Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
The Randwick Mile weight for age feature has been reduced to seven runners with the withdrawal of the Chris Waller trained Unforgotten who will now be kept fresh for the Group 1 $1m Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on September 29.
Waller told Sky Racing’s Racing HQ Saturday that Unforgotten was well in herself but he didn’t think the Fastnet Rock four year old mare needed a hard run today against her super star stablemate Winx who is currently the $1.12 for the George Main Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au.
Waller sent a tweet out earlier in the morning explaining that Unforgotten would miss today’s run and head towards the Epsom Handicap and would probably have a 1000m barrier trial next week instead.
“Unforgotten has been scratched from today’s Colgate Optic White Stakes at Randwick. She is in good health but we would prefer to keep her fresh for the Epsom Handicap on the 29th of September. Likely to trial on the 21st over 1000m which will be much easier than a tough run today.” Waller tweeted.
Waller reiterated those thoughts about Unforgotten when he spoke to Racing HQ Saturday this morning.
“Just trying to keep a little bit of speed in her. She didn’t really need to have a gut buster today,” Waller said.
“She was there ready to go, but as soon as Winx had trotted around this morning and looked as well as she did, I didn’t think there was any real point in running.”
“The Epsom is certainly our focus and I am not fussed either way about the Caulfield Cup.”
“If she shows that she has lost her speed and she is not competitive over a mile then I might change my view, but I expect her to go to a 2000m following the Epsom.”
Unforgotten was the winner of the Group 1 $1m James Boag’s Premium Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick during the 2018 Sydney Autumn Carnival and showed that she had returned for the Spring in top form with a dashing win in the Group 2 $250,000 Bisley Workwear Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on September 1.
Waller gave another glowing report about Winx on the George Main Stakes race morning.
“We are always checking her to make sure she is as good as she has always been. She seems fine,” Waller said.
“Just a nice run will be good, a lovely distance for her. There is just no negatives for her.”
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