Winx Trounces Rivals in Queensland Oaks
Description:
Winx provided trainer Chris Waller a record 13th top-level win of the season when taking the Queensland Oaks (Aus-I) in dominant fashion May 30 at Doomben.
Highly regard prior to the Oaks, the daughter of Street Cry was sent off the favorite after recent Urbis the Roses (Aus-II) winner Bohemian Lily was scratched Saturday morning.
Winx was settled well off the early pace by Hugh Bowman, fourth last in the 16-horse field as Col 'N' Lil led the way until approaching the home turn. Col 'N' Lil was challenged by Imperial Lass, Zarzali, and Ungrateful Ellen, but with 300 meters to run Winx was on her unstoppable way, posting a comprehensive 3 1/2-length triumph.
Ungrateful Ellen was up for second, with Imperial Lass four lengths back in third, and Zarzali fourth.
In completing 2,200 meters (about 1 3/8 miles) in 2:14.09, Winx tallied her first group I win while bouncing back from a runner-up finish in the Australian Oaks (Aus-I) April 11 at Royal Randwick. Overall, she has six wins from 12 career starts, including victories this season in the Celebrations Phar Lap Stakes (Aus-II) March 14 at Rosehill Gardens and the Coolmore Furious Stakes (Aus-II) last September at Randwick.
Waller, who eclipsed John Hawkes' record of 12 group 1 wins during the 2002-03 season, trains Winx for a Peter Tighe's Magic Bloodstock Racing, Richard Treweeke, and Debbie Kepitis. She was bred in Australia by John Camilleri's Fairway Thoroughbreds and was produced by group III-placed New Zealand stakes winner Vegas Showgirl, by Al Akbar.
Winx sold to Magic Bloodstock through Coolmore Stud, agent, for Aus$230,000 at the 2013 Magic Millions Gold Coast yearling sale. She has bankrolled Aus$1,050,925.