Waller, Bowman Delighted With Winx

There were smiles all round after Winx (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}) came through her first barrier trial in pleasing style ahead of her spring comeback in the G2 Warwick S. at Randwick Aug. 19. Hugh Bowman was in the saddle as usual in the 900m heat at Randwick and having broke well, Bowman settled her towards the back of the eight-horse group. The rider sat motionless throughout and it was only in the last 200m that he let Winx find her stride and she hit the wire strongly to grab third. For Chris Waller, it was exactly what he wanted to see from the mare at this stage.

“It is like a pre-season game, we wanted to just make sure she got to this morning in good shape, reasonable fitness and she has and the trial itself has gone well also,” said Waller at a press briefing afterward. “She will have another trial in two weeks, [Aug. 8] and then off to the races here at Randwick on Aug.19, for the 1400m Warwick S.”

Waller will take weather conditions into consideration when planning her post-Warwick campaign, as he appears mindful of keeping her winning streak intact.

“There are a lot of options in the spring and that can be determined by which way you go with the weather, just making sure we get not too much rain,” he said. “If we get heavy tracks it makes their runs more taxing and you could look at spreading her races out. I think she has finally developed into a mature race horse, she is as strong as you will ever see her, we purposely don't let her get too heavy so then we are not making it hard to get back to full fitness again.”

Having partnered Winx on her last 14 starts, Hugh Bowman is also in a prime position to gauge her well-being and fitness levels and he was in no doubt about Winx being on target for another stellar season.

“She felt great, she is in a really good frame of mind and her action is exactly how it was when she left off last preparation, she feels to me as though she has strengthened up a little bit, natural development, it is probably as good as she has ever trialled in all honesty,” he said.

For a replay of Monday's barrier trial click here.