Now Winx to pass John Henry as she bids for 24 straight
J A McGrath
23 March, 2018
Feast or famine. That is often the way on racing’s global stage at this time of year, and happily, this is a weekend when we can tuck in to savour the delights of fantastic racing at almost every level.
Sydney racing officials have long followed the trend of putting a raft of their best races on one card, hence champion Winx will meet Godolphin’s Kementari and four other rivals in the G1 George Ryder Stakes — on the same day that 16 juveniles line up for the G1 Golden Slipper Stakes, the world’s richest two-year-old race.
Frankly, either contest would be a stand-alone draw on any day chosen in the entire racing calendar, so it will be disappointing if the sport does not at least lead all television news bulletins on Saturday night.
For the record, Winx is set to record her 24th consecutive win, a world record 17th Group/Grade 1 victory, plus a third successive George Ryder Stakes win.
She is a sporting phenomenon in Australia, where she has already been compared to Phar Lap, the iconic champion of the early 1930s.
Trainer Chris Waller believes Winx is at the very peak of her career. “She has had the perfect preparation for this, and I expect another top class performance,” he pointed out.
When she last ran, the daughter of former Darley stallion Street Cry blitzed her rivals with a seven-length win in the G1 Chipping Norton Stakes on Saturday, 3 March, indicating she was as good as ever.
Kementari, who limbers up for the G1 Doncaster Mile on Saturday, 7 April, is not expected to seriously cross swords with Winx, but there is every chance he will acquit himself very respectably.
The champion will know she has had a race. The Golden Slipper field is typically strong, with Sunlight bringing the best juvenile form to the table, while Estijaab and Written By also have excelllent credentials.
Godolphin’s Dawn Approach filly Gongs is second emergency and will need two above her to drop out if she is to get a run. She finished third to Sunlight and Estijaab in the G2 Silver Slipper.
