The Winx Stakes meeting will be held at Royal Randwick this Saturday. The course proper was rated a Good 4 on Thursday and with fine weather in Sydney leading up to the weekend, Randwick will be racing on a Good track on raceday.
Last start winner Travancore has been very consistent this preparation and the gelding can make it two wins on the trot in the City Tattersalls Club Handicap (Sydney Race 2, 1600m). This Clare Cunningham-trained 6YO has racked up 2 wins and 4 placings from 6 starts this campaign. His last start victory over this trip at Warwick Farm three weeks ago was pretty impressive as he had got the race won a long way out. Travancore has a good record over the mile with 3 wins and a 3rd from 7 attempts at the trip. Jason Collett will ease back in the field from barrier 8 and Travancore will run home strongly down the Randwick straight.
Joseph Pride-trained 3YO Superium will have conditions to suit in the Up And Coming Stakes (Sydney Race 3, 1300m). The promising gelding had won his first two starts earlier this year. And he came back in terrific order flashing home to finish just half a length behind Dawn Passage in the Listed Rosebud (1100m). Superium will be fitter when 2nd up on Saturday and stepping up to 1300m will suit him even better. Glen Boss will once again be on board the 3YO. From barrier 6, Boss will park the gelding somewhere mid-field with a cushy run and watch Superium flies home late.
Avilius looks set to begin his Spring campaign with victory in the Winx Stakes (Sydney Race 7, 1400m). The Godolphin-owned gelding had won the Ranvet Stakes-Tancred Stakes double before he went for a spell. James Cummings has given the 6YO two trials in preparation for his return to racing and Avilius duly won his second Rosehill trial over 1000m on 6th August. Avilius has a good 1st up record with 2 wins and a placing from 4 first up runs and he is unbeaten at Randwick winning 2 from 2. With pretty good pace in the race, Kerrin McEvoy could slot in mid-field pretty comfortably and with his great turn-of-foot, Avilius will be able to run over the top of this field.
By Owens Wong, Editor
