The Winx Stakes meeting will be held at Royal Randwick this Saturday (24th Aug). The course proper was rated a Soft 5 on Thursday and with light showers forecast for Sydney on Saturday, Randwick will border on Good/Soft condition on raceday.
The resuming Eliyass is obviously the horse to beat in the Premier’s Cup (Sydney Race 5, 2000m). This French import is mighty consistent having won seven races with two 2nds from nine career starts. The 6YO gelding did a great job on his first Australian start (8th Jun) when he reeled them in over this track and trip in the Lord Mayors Cup. Eliyass is also unbeaten over 2000m winning five from five. With Sir Lucan leading in the race, Eliyass should sit comfortably in mid-field and he will be the strongest in the run home.
Queensland visitor Yellow Brick should be ready to fire fresh in the Show County Quality (Sydney Race 7, 1200m). The 5YO gelding dashed home to win at Eagle Farm before his spell and he has an impressive first-up record having never missed a place from six attempts. And 1200m is his pet distance having won three times with three placings from six starts at the trip. From the nice gate (5), Tim Clark will go forward and sit one off one back in a stalking position and Yellow Brick will be challenging hard down the Randwick straight. Currently at $12.00 fixed odds, Yellow Brick represents a good value bet.
Class mare Fangirl is a great fresh horse and she can take out the Group 1 Winx Stakes (Sydney Race 8, 1400m). This Waller-trained 6YO only had a light autumn campaign and she did win first-up over this track and trip in the Apollo Stakes in February. She loves Randwick having won five times with five placings at the venue and she’s terrific at 1400m with four victories and two placings from seven attempts at the trip. She has good Soft track record and champion hoop James McDonald retains the ride. McDonald will drop back in the field and with her great turn-of-foot, Fangirl will run over the top of this field.
By Owens Wong
