Australian Horse of the Year Winx (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}) worked successfully at Randwick Tuesday morning when winning a 1000-metre barrier trial (video), reported racenet.com.au. It was the 6-year-old's 16th barrier trial and first win. She covered the distance in :59.98 over soft (5) ground with Hugh Bowman in the irons. The Chris Waller trainee was followed by 'TDN Rising Star' and GSW and G1SP Pariah (Aus) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}) in second, with MGSW and G1 Doncaster Mile runner-up Happy Clapper (Aus) (Teofilo {Ire}) taking third.
“I guess winning the trial is unusual for her,” Waller told racenet.com.au. “Both Hugh and I thought she might be doing a little bit too well at this stage of her preparation and just needed a stronger hit-out than normal because she's a bit heavier than what she normally is. So with today's trial, I think she's right on track.”
Winx is scheduled to kick off her season in the G2 Warwick S. over 1400 metres at Randwick on Aug. 19, with a third consecutive A$3-million G1 Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) the long-term goal at Moonee Valley on Oct. 28.
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