Winx Aims for Group 1 Glory in Queensland Oaks

The Chris Waller-trained MGSW and MG1SP Winx (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}) will attempt to justify market favoritism in this oversubscribed field for the 2015 G1 Queensland Oaks at Doomben Saturday. A smart winner of the G3 Sunshine Coast Guineas last time over 1600 meters May 16, Winx will break from gate 13. Runner-up in the G1 Coolmore Flight S. at Randwick to end her spring campaign Oct. 4, the daughter of Darley’s late Street Cry (Ire) returned from a three-month spell and ran seventh at that venue in the 1200-meter G2 Light Fingers S. on Valentine’s Day. Just fifth of 12 in the G2 Surround S. two weeks later, Winx reported home a winner in Rosehill’s G2 Phar Lap S. Mar. 14. Trying 2000 meters for the first time, the bay was fifth in the G1 Vinery Stud S. later that month and proved longer distances were within her scope when a solid second under the care of Joao Moreira in the 2400-meter G1 Australian Oaks behind Gust of Wind (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}), one start prior to her Classic score. Winx’s main rival at the windows takes the form of Bohemian Lily (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}), who scooped up G2 The Roses S. over 2020 meters here–defeating fellow Oaks starters Col ‘N’ Lil (Aus) (Bradbury’s Luck {Aus}) and Whatalovelyday (Aus) (Domesday {Aus}) among others–for training wizard Gai Waterhouse last out May 23. Never worse than second in her last four starts, it will be the first appearance at the highest level for the Kiwi, who won the Listed Bracelet S. on the Gold Coast Apr. 25 and just missed when runner-up to rival Ballet Suite (Aus) (High Chaparral {Ire}) in the Listed Princess S. when tried over 2000 meters at this venue May 9.