October
AprilSafety over romance
The decision to keep Winx cosseted on the eastern side of Australia is disappointing. Many racing aficionados believe that the connections of Winx have jibbed it in deciding to leave her in her box at Rosehill this southern winter.
She goes to the Queen Elizabeth Stakes in April and will have an easy run up to the Cox Plate in October. Where is the romance of the turf?
The general public in three states (WA, SA, Tasmania) won’t have seen her run in the flesh.
Meanwhile, Royal Ascot is the home of racing. A Kiwi baulks at showing his star horse on the world stage. Why? The owners say they want to win a fourth Cox Plate. Why, oh why? Why not five or six Cox Plates?
It would be the thrill of a lifetime to win at Royal Ascot in front of the Queen.
These opportunities are open only to a handful of Aussies. Choisir was the trailblazer of recent times to show his wares at Royal Ascot in 2003, winning two big sprints.
Takeover Target, the people’s horse, won at Royal Ascot, in Japan and in Singapore.
Miss Andretti smashed the course record in 2007 winning the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Scenic Blast also won the King’s Stand in 2009.
Choisir’s son Starspangledbanner in 2010 won two Group 1s: the Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot and the July Cup at Newmarket.
Then we have the fantastic Black Caviar winning the Diamond Jubilee Stakes in 2012.
I am sure, in their dotage, the owners of Winx and trainer Chris Waller will be in their rocking chair on the verandah wistfully saying: “Dear, if only we took that chance and ran our beautiful mare at Ascot in ’18, instead of sticking to the safety-first policy!”
Ocean Grove (Vic)