Winx is flourishing back in pre-training at the farm! Look out Cox Plate #3!!! pic.twitter.com/S0oqb7aOhB
— Winx (@WinxHorse) June 2, 2017
Australian super horse Winx is back in training for the new season Down Under and a successful campaign is likely to see her turn her attention to overseas.
Royal Ascot have already confirmed that they are in talks with Winx’s team to try and get the six-year-old mare to make the trip to Europe next season.
Ascot’s director of racing Nick Smith had been in talks for this year, but Winx always had a third straight Cox Plate in her sights and if she does land that in October, that will set her on track to come to England in 2018.
Ascot attracted runners from around the world this year, but Australian horses have been missing in recent years and Smith wants the best and with Winx rated the best mare anywhere in the world – he wants her.
“The owners have always had a third Cox Plate in their mind,” he said. “With that out of the way in October hopefully they will start to go internationally with her. I get the sense they see her as a Black Caviar and the type of horse that can put Australia on the global map.
“One year of having no Australians has to be taken in the context of what’s happened in the last five or ten years. If there are no runners next year then you ask a question but right now we are working on the basis that it is business as usual.”
And Bookmakers already think she is destined for glory as she would likely be lined up in the Queen Anne Stakes and WilliamHill make her Evens to win that event.
Despite Ascot’s desire to bring Winx over, her management insist she is focused on the Australian season and won’t be going anywhere unless she is successful again. She has currently won her last 17 races.
— Winx (@WinxHorse) April 9, 2017
Managing owner Peter Tighe said he and his fellow owners Debbie Kepitis and Richard Treweeke’s thoughts are on the new season Down Under.
“There is a lot of water to go under the bridge before next year and for now we’re thinking about the Warwick Stakes on August 19,” Tighe told The Australian.
“She’ll have a couple more runs in Sydney before heading to Melbourne for the Cox Plate.
“We’ve spoken to Nick Smith and he’d like us to take her over next year but we have to concentrate on the next program here until the end of October.
“If she doesn’t come through that in tip-top shape, she won’t be going overseas. A lot can happen in 12 months.
“We just want to keep her fit and healthy and well and let her do her thing.”