Group 1 racing returns this Saturday with the running of the $750k Winx Stakes at Royal Randwick Racecourse. The 1400m weight-for-age feature kicks off the highly anticipated Sydney Spring Racing Carnival for 2022.
This year’s contest has brought together a competitive, top-notch field, with the majority of runners resuming and looking to kick off their Spring campaigns on the right foot. Last year’s Winx Stakes was taken out by Mo’unga with Tommy Berry in the saddle, who will be looking to make it back-to-back victories in this year’s race.
Looking at the market, Dabble has Godolphin’s stable star, Anamoe, favourite at $2.40 ahead of last year’s winner, Mo’unga, who is next best at $6.00. Multiple G1 winning mare, Forbidden Love, currently priced at $6.50, is on the third line of betting and the Chris Waller trained, Fangirl, is at $7.00.
However, we know with horse racing that anything can happen and 9 of the 11 runners are resuming from a spell. So, we have dissected each of the horses’ chances for you and provided our horse racing tips! Read on below to find our runner by runner preview of the 2022 Winx Stakes along with The Shark’s best tips.
1. Mo’unga (2) – $6.00
Jockey – Tommy Berry 59kg
Trainer – Annabel Neasham
Winner of this race last year who has a brilliant fresh record. Chased hard first up last prep to finish runner up behind Sierra Sue in the Futurity, before a plain midfield effort in the All Aged Stakes. Has had a couple of quiet hit outs at the trials in preparation for this and has to be well respected in a race like this.
2. Stockman (6) – $101
Jockey – Sam Clipperton 59kg
Trainer – Joseph Pride
Prolific wet tracker who ran a career best in the Tancred Stakes last prep. Might find a few of these a bit sharp over the 1400m and will no doubt have a few races picked out for him later in the prep as the trips get longer.
🚨 WINX STAKES BARRIER DRAW 🚨
1. Mo’unga (2)
2. Stockman (6)
3. Anamoe (1)
4. Profondo (7)
5. Hilal (3)
6. Benaud (4)
7. Duais (5)
8. Forbidden Love (10)
9. Icebath (8)
10. Fangirl (9)
11. Hinged (11)— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 17, 2022
3. Anamoe (1) – $2.40F
Jockey – James McDonald 58.5kg
Trainer – James Cummings
Cox Plate runner-up who brained his rivals last prep in the Rosehill Guineas when getting out to the 2000m. He resumed last prep over 1200m and found them a bit sharp, but the seven furlongs here should suit him down to the ground fresh, and has looked good in two recent barrier trials. He’s been well found in the market here first up but does look one of the main contenders in this.
4. Profondo (7) – $13
Jockey – Brenton Avdulla 58.5kg
Trainer – Richard Litt
Boom 3YO who failed to come up in the Autumn. Looked good in a recent trial behind Anamoe and will be out to prove to the naysayers that he is the real deal this preparation. Happy to watch him go around here and I’m sure we will get a good idea of where he’s at heading into the Spring after this run.
5. Hilal (3) – $20
Jockey – William Pike 58.5kg
Trainer – Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes
Resumed in the Missile Stakes here a fortnight ago where he only warmed up the last furlong. Has proven he is capable of mixing it with the best horseflesh in the land and the step up to 1400m second up looks ideal. Drawn to get a good run from the low draw and shouldn’t be far away at the business end.
6. Benaud (4) – $81
Jockey – Reece Jones (a) 58.5kg
Trainer – John O’Shea
ATC Derby runner up who resumes here off the back of a nice trial behind In The Congo. He might find a few of these a bit sharp first up but looks to have come back in good order and will be suited as the races get longer.
7. Duais (5) – $18
Jockey – Joshua Parr 57kg
Trainer – Edward Cummings
Really stamped herself as a top class mare last prep taking out both the Australian Cup and Tancred Stakes in good fashion. Comes into this with only one trial under the belt and will take plenty of benefit from the run. Connections will be hoping to see her hit the line strongly the last furlong with Cup plans on the table this Spring.
What a special day.
To celebrate Winx Stakes week we thought we’d take a look back on the final time we saw Winx at the races. pic.twitter.com/h4fD9yP9vN
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) August 14, 2022
8. Forbidden Love (10) – $6.50
Jockey – Rachel King 57kg
Trainer – Michael Freedman
Multiple G1 winning mare who resumed from a short spell in the Missile Stakes and was found wanting late. No doubt that run would’ve tightened her up for this, and the step up to 1400m is in her favour. Although it’s hard to be confident she’s going as well as last prep, if she can show some of that form, she will go close here second up.
9. Icebath (8) – $34
Jockey – Kerrin McEvoy 57kg
Trainer – Brad Widdup
Consistent mare who was twice G1 placed last prep in both the Doncaster and Queen of the Turf here at Randwick. Had two good hitouts to prepare for this and should be doing her best work late in the race.
10. Fangirl (9) – $7.00
Jockey – Hugh Bowman 56.5kg
Trainer – Chris Waller
Talented mare who possesses a brilliant winning record including the G1 Vinery Stud Stakes. Really liked the way she has attacked the line in two barrier trials leading into this and should get conditions to suit. If there’s any sort of speed on up front she will be charging late.
11. Hinged (11) – $14
Jockey – Nash Rawiller 56.5kg
Trainer – Chris Waller
Former Qld trained mare who had a stellar Autumn campaign. Resumes here off the back of a couple of trials where she wasn’t asked to do a lot. Drawn the outside gate but gets the services of Nash Rawiller and has to be considered an each-way chance.
Final Word
This year’s Winx Stakes not only kicks off the 2022 Sydney Spring Racing Carnival, but it also sees the return of some of the most exciting horse flesh in the country.
The @cmaherracing team is heading into Winx Stakes Day with a strong hand! pic.twitter.com/FGsvLc2jBg
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 16, 2022
Cox Plate runner up and dual G1 winner, Anamoe, heads betting and looks to have come back in fine fettle based off his barrier trials. The market has him short enough for mine but there is no doubting he is the one they have to beat.
Front running mare Forbidden Love maps well. She weakened late in the Missile Stakes first up but with that run under the belt and the step up in trip, she looks a genuine winning hope.
Hilal also has the benefit of a run under his belt and represents some good value. He only warmed up late first up in the Missile and likewise should appreciate the rise in trip.
As for the on top selection, I’m going with the Chris Waller trained Fangirl. I really like the way she attacked the line in both her barrier trials leading into this and should get the right conditions here to display her dazzling turn of foot.
Winx Stakes Tip
10. Fangirl – Each-way ($7.00/$2.20)
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*Odds correct at time of writing, courtesy of Dabble.
