26 Sep, 2020
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The Winx Stakes is the opening Group 1 of the racing season, held at Randwick Racecourse over the 1400m, contested under weight-for-age conditions for three-year-olds and upwards. The 2020 Winx Stakes will be held on Saturday, August 22.
The race was formerly known as the Warwick Stakes and held Group 2 status, but in 2018 the race was renamed the Winx Stakes to honour the great mare, and was upgraded to the Group 1 level.
The 2019 Winx Stakes was taken out by Samadoubt, who led all the way and caused an upset, saluting a $31 starting price. The Bjorn Baker proved it was no fluke, also claiming the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes the next start in similar fashion.
Now with Group 1 status, the 1400m weight-for-age contest early in the season presents the Winx Stakes as a perfect launching pad for spring campaigns for classy middle distance runners.
Three-time winner Winx (2016-2018) used this race as her starting point for Cox Plate campaigns, and you can expect many runners to follow this path and do the same.
The field will attract these classier types with their eyes on far bigger prizes later in the spring, which may not be wound up to win the Winx Stakes, simply looking to gain fitness with the run.
These types can clash with slightly less fancied gallopers who have fitness on their side, and are primed to secure an early-season Group 1.
Knowing which runners are at which stage of their preparations is key to betting in this race.
It is important to be sure what stage of campaign each runner is in, and whether they have the class to take this out early in the season if they aren’t set for the Winx Stakes, and have bigger aspirations later in the spring.
The past decade has seen a mixture of short-priced favourites win the race, as well as a few at long odds with a fitness edge on their side.
2019 – Samadoubt – $31
2018 – Winx – $1.24
2017 – Winx – $1.10
2016 – Winx – $1.24
2015 – Royal Descent – $5.50
2014 – Tiger Tees – $5.50
2013 – Veyron – $21.00
2012 – Pinwheel – $4.40
2011 – Pinwheel – $2.70
2010 – Metal Bender – $15.00
