Winx (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}), the world's highest-rated mare and turf horse of 2016, makes her seasonal debut in Randwick's 1400 metre G2 The Star Apollo S. on Saturday. The 5-year-old, who drew barrier three in a scratched-down field of 12, seeks her 14th consecutive win. She was last seen defending her G1 Cox Plate title in spectacular fashion on Oct. 22. Winx won last year's Apollo en route to victories in the G1 Chipping Norton S., G1 George Ryder S. and G1 Doncaster Mile later in the season. She is currently the heavy $1.12 favourite with Sportsbet, with her main opposition expected to come from Godophin's Hartnell (GB) (Authorized {Ire}). The 5-year-old gelding had to settle for the runner-up spot behind Winx twice last season, including the Cox Plate and, in addition to collecting the G1 Turnbull S., G2 Hill S. and G2 Chelmsford S. in facile manner, Hartnell was third in the G1 Melbourne Cup when last seen publicly. He finished sixth of nine in a Randwick barrier trial on Jan. 27.
“He's come back in great shape; I couldn't be happier with his attitude and his fitness level,” trainer John O'Shea said of Hartnell. “We're looking forward to a good, positive day. It's likely that the track will be rain affected which will be good for him. His trial was what we wanted; he's come along nicely since then. From here he goes to the Chipping Norton in two weeks and then the Ranvet and the Queen Elizabeth.”
Winx's trainer Chris Waller has five entered, also including Qatar Bloodstock's Endless Drama (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), who makes just his second start Down Under after finishing last in the G1 Emirates S. in November.
The Apollo is certainly a Group 2 in name only, with a handful of additional Group 1 winners signed on to begins their buildups to longer distances during the autumn carnival.
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