The first Group 1 of the season will be run and won at Randwick on Saturday with a strong field of 14 stepping out in the $500,000 Winx Stakes (1400m).
In a race named after his mighty mare, Chris Waller has dominated the final acceptances as the champion trainer saddles up last year’s winner Verry Elleegant, as well as Kolding, Imaging, Star Of The Seas, and dual Group 1 winner Hungry Heart.
Annabel Neasham will be hoping to claim a second Group 1 with Rosehill Guineas winner Mo’unga, while there’s also a big watch on Godolphin’s Doncaster Mile winner Cascadian.
With the Sydney Spring Carnival officially underway, be sure to read our thoughts on every runner in the 2021 Winx Stakes below!
Kolding
Kolding returns for another crack at the Winx Stakes after failing to fire from the wide gate in last year’s edition.
That run proved to be an anomaly as the son of Ocean Park went on to win the Group 1 George Main Stakes two starts later before wrapping up his prep with a disappointing run in the Cox Plate.
The Chris Waller-trained Kolding does have a run under his belt this time around having finished fifth in the Missile Stakes two weeks ago. He was found wanting late, but is worth forgiving out over further.
Think It Over
Think It Over found some excellent form throughout the autumn with a win in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes followed by a strong fourth behind two good horses in Addeybb and Verry Elleegant in the Queen Elizabeth.
The six-year-old won his trial well at Kembla Grange last week and is also a three-time winner first-up from a spell.
Whether he finds 1400m too much first-up remains to be seen, but there’s no question the son of So You Think is capable of running a place from a handy draw.
Cascadian
Cascadian doesn’t win out of turn, but he proved to everyone throughout the autumn that he can’t be taken lightly at this level.
The Godolphin galloper returned a strong fourth second-up in the George Ryder Stakes before going one better to win the Doncaster Mile by a narrow margin over Icebath.
He’s another one that tends to do his best work fresh and is worth a thought in exotics with Hugh Bowman steering.
Dreamforce
Dreamforce is looking to make amends in the Winx Stakes after running second-last this time last year.
The 2020 George Ryder Stakes winner came close to defending his crown during the autumn when he was narrowly denied by Think It Over, before failing to fire in his final run in the All Aged Stakes.
The nine-year-old by Fastnet Rock can be a little hit and miss but has to be respected with two wins to his name over the track and trip as well as some strong first-up form.
Imaging
It’s been well over a year since Imaging last won a race and he is tough to recommend with only one place from seven starts to his name at Randwick.
The Chris Waller-trained seven-year-old did make up good ground for fourth in last year’s edition of the Winx Stakes, but his most recent runs in the All Aged Stakes and the Stradbroke Handicap earlier in the year left a lot to be desired.
Star Of The Seas
Star Of The Seas will have revenge in mind after being narrowly denied by Verry Elleegant in this same race last year.
The Chris Waller-trained Star Of The Seas has since gone on to win the Group 2 Blamey Stakes at Flemington before wrapping his autumn up with a forgettable run in the Doncaster Mile.
The old boy has been placed four times previously at Group 1 level but will need to produce his best to trouble some of these.
Keiai Nautique
Japanese import Keiai Nautique will make his first start in Australia on Saturday under trainer Matthew Smith.
The seven-year-old out of Deep Impact won the Group 1 NHK Mile Cup three years ago but has failed to win a race since.
He’s raced among some good horses and trialled well in the lead-up, but will likely need the run first.
Master Of Wine
It’s been a while in between drinks for Master Of Wine with his last win dating back to the 2020 Sky High Stakes.
The Hawkes-trained seven-year-old is unplaced in eight starts at the elite level and his market price well and truly reflects that.
Branderburg
Brandenburg has placed in three-from-seven starts at Group 1 level, the most recent coming during the Brisbane Winter Carnival when he finished a clear third to Zaaki in the Doomben Cup.
He was no match in this race last year from the wide gate, a problem he’ll need to overcome once again after drawing barrier 13.
Mount Popa
Irish raider Mount Popa is shooting for a hat-trick in his return to the races after rattling off back-to-back wins in the Listed Randwick City Stakes and the Mornington Cup during the autumn.
The Hawkes-trained gelding does have some decent form to his name first-up, but this is obviously his toughest assignment up to Group 1 level for the first time.
Mo’unga
Mo’unga burned punters on a couple of occasions throughout the autumn but eventually rewarded their patience with a narrow win in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas.
The son of Savabeel is having his first run back following a disappointing last in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, but bares close watching with a little more maturity and a strong fresh record to his name.
The wide gate is a slight worry, but it’s nothing Tommy Berry can’t handle.
Very Elleegant
Verry Elleegant is back to defend her Winx Stakes crown on Saturday after nudging out Star Of The Seas in a photo finish last year.
In similar fashion, she returns to the races following a very successful autumn that saw her add two more Group 1 wins to her enormous resume in both the Chipping Norton and the Ranvet Stakes over further.
Now an eight-time Group 1 winner, Chris Waller’s champion mare is also a proven first-up performer, meaning there isn’t much else that needs to be said.
She’s Ideel
She’s Ideel is a very honest type that has typically returned some consistent results right throughout her career.
The mare by Dundeel returned a place in four-from-five starts during the autumn, opening her account with a third to Subpoenaed in the Millie Fox Stakes, followed by a clear second to Sir Dragonet three runs later in the Tancred Stakes at Rosehill.
She has a horror barrier to contend with, but the fact she’s placed in three of her four starts first-up makes her a decent each-way prospect at good odds.
Hungry Heart
Hungry Heart is looking to make it a hat-trick of Group 1 wins at Randwick on Saturday after taking out the Vinery Stud Stakes and the ATC Oaks during the autumn.
The Frankel mare clearly has a very bright future ahead, but she’ll probably appreciate getting out over further after proving herself a stayer earlier in the year.
Winx Stakes Tips
2 Think It Over at $9.50
