Winx, Chautauqua Earn BC Berths in Australia

Winx, Australia's reigning queen of the turf, came from near last and won the Aus$3 million Doncaster Mile (Aus-I) in sensational style April 2 at Royal Randwick.

 

The race was the centerpiece of day one of The Championships, an event to showcase the best of Australian racing at the Sydney Autumn Carnival, with a pair of Breeders' Cup berths on the line. With her win, Winx earned an automatic starting position in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) via the Breeders' Cup Challenge series of qualifying races.  

 

One race earlier on Saturday's card, Chautauqua's last-to first rally in the Aus$2.5 million Darley T.J. Smith Stakes (Aus-I) earned him a berth in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (gr. IT). The Breeders' Cup is set for later this year at Santa Anita Park.

 

Never comfortable in the soft going and seemingly lost in the pack turning for home, Winx burst through 300 meters out for jockey Hugh Bowman and sprinted away, winning by two lengths, ahead of Happy Clapper. Azkadellia finished third, 2 1/4 lengths back. 

 

While creating scenes at the track that haven't been witnessed since the days of Black Caviar, Winx covered the distance in 1:35.27 and notched a ninth straight win that also includes the five other group I races: the George Ryder March 19, Chipping Norton Feb. 27, W.S. Cox Plate Oct. 25, Epsom Handicap Oct. 3, and Queensland Oaks last season for Magic Bloodstock Racing and partners. The 4-year-old daughter of Street Cry is trained by Chris Waller, who also sent out last year's victor, Kermadec, who was last of 15 this year.

 

Day two of The Championships set for April 9 at Royal Randwick, and Waller could send Winx out in the richest 2000-meter (about 1 1/4-mile) race in Australia-the $4 million Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Aus-I).

 

Chautauqua, Australia's top sprinter, rocketed from the back of the 15-horse field for a repeat victory in the T.J. Smith. 

 

A 5-year-old by Encosta de Lago ridden by Tommy Berry, Chautauqua won by more than a length, ahead of Fell Swoop, and completed 1,200 meters (about six furlongs) in 1:10.10.

 

Trained by Michael, Wayne, and John Hawkes for a partnership group, Chautauqua has won 10 of 16 starts, including last year's T.J. Smith Stakes by a nose.

 

Also on the card, Berry guided New Zealand runner Tavago (Tavistock) to a 3 1/4-length upset in the Aus$2 million Australian Derby (Aus-I), and Zac Purton guided Yankee Rose (All American) to take the Aus$1 million Inglis Sires' (Aus-I) by 2 1/2 lengths.