CHINA HORSE CLUB

GEORGE RYDER

(GROUP 1)

THERE should be little doubt as to Winx’s ability on wet tracks following Saturday’s demolition on a ‘bottomless’ Rosehill surface in the George Ryder Stakes to land her 16th straight win. Home by seventh lengths in the 1,500-metre Group 1, the Street Cry mare relegated the last start Group 1 quinella of Le Romain and Chautauqua to the minor placings.

“I didn’t expect her to win like that. She is just an amazing horse,” said trainer Chris Waller. The win, her 20th from 26 starts, was her 10th Group 1 win and sees her move to third on the all-time Australian earnings list as she passed the $10 million mark with only Sunline and Makybe Diva ahead of her.

“It is just so special, I am really lost for words,” said Hugh Bowman.

“I feel like she is in the prime of her career, I expected more tempo early but I knew on the way to the barriers she meant business today.”

An interested bystander was William Buick. Asked what she could do in Europe he replied; “I think she would do a lot of damage.”

The view was no better for Glyn Schofield who was on the second placed Le Romain; “Le Romain likes a wet track so he quickened nicely for me and for 100 metres I thought, ‘I wonder where Winx is’. Then I got my answer. Four in front.”

The final start for Winx’s autumn campaign is in two weeks at Randwick where she will tackle the $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes over 2,400 metres.