After Winx–The Easter Cup

Winx at Rosehill 23/3/19

It is old news now that Winx culminated her illustrious career on the turf with an easy win in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick on 13 April 2019. The stands were packed with a sell out crowd and I’m sure the atmosphere would have rivaled Cox Plate day last year, which remains the highlight of all the race meetings I have attended over the years.

Though it’s sad to see her retire, Winx went out in blooming health and at the height of her remarkable ability. She was the perfect race horse and stayed sound throughout the four years she graced the racetrack.

Chris Waller and his team are to be commended for keeping her healthy and safe over that extensive period of time.

As I have remarked before, with Winx retired, the races will lack sparkle for a while, but there are still some very promising up and comers who will hopefully bloom in Spring.

I’m looking forward to seeing Mystic Journey again and of course the redoubtable Sunlight whose next start will be in the Group 1  Robert Sangster Stakes at Morphettville in early May. Others likely to star come Spring are Verry Elleegant who was very impressive winning the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes and ATC Oaks during the Sydney racing carnival and Brutal who took out the Doncaster Handicap and ran second to Winx in the George Ryder Stakes.

Plein Ciel wins from Furrion (no 5) and Morton’s Fork (no 7)

The Easter Cup meeting last weekend at Caulfield was a low key meeting that featured two Group 3 races – the Victoria Handicap and the Easter Cup. I basically attended to give my friend Rebecca the Golden Slipper race book and pin I’d got for her in Sydney and collect the Queen Elizabeth Stakes race book she had acquired for me.

The races were not terribly interesting overall, but good for action photo practice. I arrived in time for the fourth race and stayed till the Easter Cup was run and won.

Graceful Storm and Thrillster fight out the finish of the Geoff Murphy Stakes

Streets of Avalon  winner of the Victoria Handicap

I’m thinking of attending Caulfield again next Saturday for the inaugural running of a new million dollar race for two year olds, called The Showdown after a top sire of the 1960s/70s named Showdown. The race is open to Victorian bred horses and I’m pleased to see that Sunlight’s little sister, appropriately named Sisstar, has been nominated for it.