Trainer Chris Waller told Racing.com his star mare Winx (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}), who demolished males the G1 Cox Plate in October, has returned to his Sydney stables in good order.
''She's come back looking terrific,'' he told the site. ''She had a pretty tough 12 months of racing but there is no evidence that she's showing signs of tiredness. She's a very sound horse and she's coming along nicely.''
While the 4-year-old's early season targets remain up in the air, her campaign is expected to culminate in the A$4 million G1 Queen Elizabeth S. at The Championships Apr. 9.
''We've got a lot of options with her as there are any number of fillies races that offer her a protected path through the campaign, or we could take the path through the George Ryder,” Waller added. “I'd like to get her [to the Queen Elizabeth] at her fourth run back.”
Waller enjoyed a big win at The Championships in 2015 with Kermadec (NZ) (Teofilo {Ire}) in the G1 Doncaster Mile, and that gelding added last season's G1 George Main S. before beating one home in the Cox Plate when stretched out to 2040 meters. Waller told Racing.com the bay will now stick to the distance over which he has been most effective.
“He's going terrific and I think he'll bounce back this autumn, but we'll keep him to races up to a mile,” the conditioner noted.
Waller also told the site last season's G1 Caulfield Guineas winner Press Statement (Aus) (Hinchinbrook {Aus}) could stay in Sydney for the autumn, with races like the George Ryder, Doncaster and Randwick Guineas potential targets.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
