Australian racing has been without a Group 1 since the Tattersall’s Tiara at Eagle Farm on 27 June. That ends on Saturday 22 August, when the Winx Stakes is run over 1400 metres at Royal Randwick for $1 million — the first Group 1 of the new season and the traditional front door to the Sydney spring.
It is also, on the face of the field, a Chris Waller benefit. He saddles eight of the fourteen.
The field
Autumn Glow is the $1.90 favourite for Waller, with James McDonald aboard from barrier three. Sheza Alibi ($3.10, Peter G Moody and Katherine Coleman, Luke Nolen) draws the inside gate.
The rest, in barrier order: Lady Shenandoah (Waller, McEvoy), Beiwacht, Midnight Dynamite (Bjorn Baker), Autumn Boy, Gringotts (Ciaron Maher, Ethan Brown), Ceolwulf (Joseph Pride), Idle Flyer (Matthew Smith), Fangirl (Waller, Tommy Berry), Aeliana, Lindermann (Hugh Bowman), Barnavara and Green Spaces.
What Waller is really doing
Autumn Glow has been nominated for the Cox Plate, and Waller has been careful about what that means. “It’s not on our radar, but if James at any stage says, ‘have a go at the Cox Plate’ she’ll be having a go,” he said.
That is the honest position for most of this field. The Winx Stakes is a Group 1 worth winning, but for the better half of the card it is a fitness test with prizemoney attached — the first read on horses whose real targets are seven weeks away.
The rest of the card
Randwick also stages the Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) and the Show County Quality (1200m) as supporting black type, along with the Premier’s Cup over 2000 metres and the Drinkwise Mile.
Elsewhere on Saturday: Sandown hosts the Listed Carlyon Stakes in Melbourne, Doomben runs its Mekka Raceday in Brisbane, and Belmont Park has the Idyllic Prince Stakes in Perth. Moonee Valley is not racing — it is closed for redevelopment — and Ascot does not return until the warmer months, with Belmont carrying the Perth winter season through to 26 September.
