The win completed a fine week for the champion with Winx joining Black Caviar (AUS) and Sunline (NZ) in the exclusive club of three-time winners of the Australian Racehorse of the Year at a ceremony in Melbourne.
Destiny now awaits Winx as she goes forward to try for a record fourth win in the Group 1 WFA Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 27th.
Her 2018 Turnbull Stakes win was conducted before a record crowd for the meeting of 22,715 patrons in testament to the pulling power of racing’s champions.
The win though was not without some anxious moments after Winx and jockey Hugh Bowman became trapped behind a wall of runners in front after a slow early pace.
Bowman, however, was patient and when he managed to extract the mare into clear racing room they powered to the line for 1L win over stablemate Youngstar (AUS) and Kings Will Dream (IRE).
While the overall time of the race was relatively slow at 2.01.60, due to the slow early pace, Winx’s ability to close quickly were evident in her final sectional times of 10.74, 10.60, 10.87 from the 600m. These very quick times are the mark of the champion, even by her lofty standards.
Victoria Racing Club (VRC) Chief Executive Officer Neil Wilson said it was a special day for Flemington.
“Under glorious sunshine, this record crowd was privileged to witness the incredible Winx secure back to back victories in the Turnbull Stakes, in what was likely her last appearance at Flemington,” Mr Wilson said.
Winx has now won 32 races from her 38 starts and with her three second placings she is A$115,076 short of earning over A$20 million dollars in prize money.
