Winx Stakes – 2020

Track: Soft   Weather: Fine

There is a full field of 16 runners plus 2 emergencies for the $500,000 Winx Stakes and with Funstar scratched to race in the Show County Quality, the first emergency Wolfe will get a run. Thirteen horses will be first-up from a spell, three will be second-up and one runner has had four runs this campaign. The early favourite is Master Of Wine who won four starts in a row before 4th in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Second favourite is The Bostonian who won the Canterbury Stakes and was a close 2nd in the George Ryder Stakes. Third favourite is Verry Elleegant who won the Tancred Stakes in the autumn before finishing 2nd in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Dreamforce won the George Ryder Stakes before finishing lame in the All Aged Stakes. Con Te Partiro won the Coolmore Legacy before a 19 week spell. Melody Belle didn’t win last campaign but shshe has won 10 Group 1 races and loves this distance. Flit was 2nd in the Missile Stakes when resumimg two weeks ago. Fierce impact didn’t win last campaign but ran a couple of good places, while Imaging resumed two weeks ago for 3rd in the Missile Stakes.All other runners are currently 20 to 1 or longer.

1. Dreamforce

He resumes after 18 weeks and has had the benefit of two trials. Last campaign he was a close 2nd in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes when first-up, then two starts later he won the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes. Has to be considered.

2. The Bostonian

This Jimmy Choux gelding resumes after 22 weeks and has won 6 of his 7 first-up starts. At the end of last campaign he won the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes then was a close 2nd in the George Ryder Stakes. Considering his magnificent first-up record he has to be one of the main chances.

3. Avilius

Last year this gelding ran 4th in this race at his first run from a spell. He hasn’t shown anything in two trials so I am not expecting him to go so well this time in, but he does go well at this track with 3 wins and a place from 6 starts here.

4. Fierce Impact

He was a close second in the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes last time he resumed and does tend to go well first-up. He has had two trials leading into this race and has placed in them both. Not without a chance.

5. Kolding

This Ocean Park gelding had a fantastic spring last year where he won several races including the Group 1 Epsom Handicap and the Golden Eagle, which is why he has earned over $5 million in prizemoney. He struggled in the autumn and hasn’t show much at three recent trials so I don’t expect him to feature here.

6. Imaging

He resumed on 8 August for 3rd in the Group 2 Missile Stakes on a heavy track, where he was unlucky not to have finished closer after being checked at the 100m when going for a run. He had the best 800m-200m race sectional of the day at the distance, and could go well here as he has exceptional statistics at this distance.

7. Master Of Wine

With career statistics of 5 wins and 7 places from 15 starts, he has not missed a place very often. His best distance is around 2000m but he won by 3.5 lengths over 1400m at Rosehill first-up last campaign. He is one of the main contenders here and should figure in the finish.

8. Niccanova

This Queensland visitor has placed at all 4 starts this campaign, including 2nd in the Group 2 Victory Stakes and 3rd in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap. He has race fitness on his side and goes well on all types of going.

9. Star of the Seas

Resumes here after 18 weeks, and last time in he won the Group 3 Maurice McCarten Stakes when resuming. He has a good first-up record and is capable of running a place.

10. Quackerjack

This Not A Single Doubt gelding has a liking for Randwick and won the Group 2 Villiers Stakes here in December 2019, then the Group 3 Liverpool City Cup in February. He likes to lead in his races and will give them something to chase.

11. Brandenburg

In February he resumed from a break to win the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes over this distance first-up. He has not won at Randwick in 4 starts her, but has trialled well and is not the worst.

12. Verry Elleegant

One of four mares in the race, she has won 8 of her 20 starts including three Group 1 wins, two Group 2 wins and a Group 3 win. She has never won first-up, but has placed. Expect her to be highly competitive and be there fighting out the finish.

13. Melody Belle

With 15 wins from 31 starts, and 10 of those wins being Group 1’s, this mare should never be underestimated. She was disappointing when she resumed for 4.6 lengths 6th in the Missile Stakes 2 weeks ago, but should show improvement with that run under her belt.

14. Con Te Partiro

She won two Group 1’s in the autumn – the Coolmore Classic and the Coolmore Legacy. she has had two recent trials and placed in them both, and it would be no surprise to see her in the finish.

15. Flit

This mare jumped awkwardly but ran on strongly at the end for 2nd in the Missile Stakes on a heavy track when resuming. She likes Randwick and should go well.

16. Funstar –  SCRATCHED

17e. Wolfe – 1st Emergency

With the scratching he will get a run. he has won 6 of his 13 starts but he has not been racing at Group level like the majority of the field has. He has three lead-up trials and will be doing his best.

18e. Zebrowski – 2nd Emergency

He probably won’t get a run. He has only raced six times but has 2 wins and 3 places. including 2nd in the Group 1 Australian Derby in April. Not the worst.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo’s Tips
2 The Bostonian
7 Master Of Wine
12 Verry Elleegant
9 Star of the Seas

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