Winx primed for return

WINX travelled to Randwick on Tuesday morning to contest an official barrier trial, her final public outing before returning to the Sydney track on August 19th for the Group 2 Warwick Stakes over 1,400 metres.

The six-year-old Street Cry mare won the 1,000 metre trial, the first time she had done so in 16 official trials.

“Both Hugh (Bowman) 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,” said Waller.

“So with today’s trial I think she’s right on track.”

Godolphin inquiry continues

THE inquiry into Godolphin’s failure to report a strangles outbreak resumed at Racing New South Wales last Friday with former Godolphin trainer John O’Shea pleading not guilty and former general manager Henry Plumptre pleading guilty to charges laid by stewards.

The pair had provided conflicting views over the Godolphin-trained Polemic contracting the disease at an earlier inquiry.

The case had already claimed the scalp of Plumptre who resigned a week before the case resumed having been part of Sheikh Mohammed’s operations for 16 years.

Godolphin are yet to announce who will fill the position of Australian General Manager. The inquiry is continuing.