Global Weekly Review: Big names on the global horizon

The international scene has livened up considerably over the past few days, with Winx trialling satisfactorily in Sydney, a big outsider scoring a shock win in the top sprint in Wellington, and two likely types staking their claim for stardom in Hong Kong.

There is always something happening in International racing. Nobody could argue otherwise.

As expected, Winx enjoyed a gentle reintroduction to the racecourse when officially sixth in a barrier trial at Rosehill on Monday. Nothing more was expected, and connections were happy with the exercise.

Winx, the world’s best turf horse, is working towards her first run of the Australian autumn, in the G2 Apollo Stakes at Randwick on Saturday, 17 February and she appears to be dead on target.

Trainer Chris Waller was pleased with the enthusiasm the mare showed in what effectively took the form of a dress rehearsal at Rosehill. Hugh Bowman reported the mare to have travelled kindly for him throughout.

All going well, Winx will have one more barrier trial prior to the Apollo, which will mark the start of her 2018 campaign.

In New Zealand, where the spotlight will focus more intently next week on the National Yearling Sales at Karaka, there was a shock result in the G1 Telegraph Stakes at Trentham, near Wellington, when Enzo’s Lad defeated the well-performed Kawi in a close finish.

On the same card, the six-year-old mare Stolen Dance landed the G1 Thorndon Mile, scoring comfortably by two lengths.

Stolen Dance, a daughter of Alamosa, is currently in foal to successful sire Tavistock.

And finally, in Hong Kong, trainer John Size saddled two of the most promising four-year-olds to appear in the Chinese Territory this season, namely Nothingilikemore, who took the G1 Hong Kong Classic Mile, and Conte, the winner of a handicap.

Both were ridden by the jockey they call ‘Magic Man,’ Joao Moreira and both won very well.  More will be heard about them in coming weeks as the top four-year-old races appear, including the G1 Hong Kong Derby.