Winx Stakes Winning Trends 

The Winx Stakes (1400m) is the first Group 1 of the 2021/22 Australian thoroughbred racing season and we take a look at the Winx Stakes winning trends. 

The $500,000 feature used to be known as the Warwick Stakes and was a Group 2 until it was upgraded in 2018. It was renamed the Winx Stakes, after the recently retired champion that won in in 2016, 2017 and 2019.

The 2017 edition was one of Winx’ most memorable wins in her streak of 33. The Chris Waller-trained mare pulled off an impossible victory after nailing Foxplay on the line that day to keep her streak alive

Other names on the honour roll include the two time winners in Lonhro, Pinwheel, Filante and Super Impose, while Kingston Town claimed the hat-trick in 1980/81/82.

In taking a look at the trends of the Winx Stakes, there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to picking a winner.

This year’s Winx Stakes is a bit different to previous years in that there is a capacity field of 15 runners, while the market is wide open. In the past, the Winx Stakes has generally attracted less than 10 runners and has provided a platform for the top liners to launch their spring campaign.

In early markets after the barrier draw on Wednesday, Funstar is a $5.50 favourite with sportsbet ahead of Master Of Wine at $7. Dreamforce ($7.50) and Verry Elleegant ($8) are others under double figure odds. The Bostonian ($10), Melody Belle ($12), Con Te Partiro ($12) and Flit ($16) head the rest

Favourites have a good record in Winx Stakes with Lonhro, Pinwheel and Racing To Win among some of the other ‘shorties’ outside of Winx to have scored in the last 20 years. 12 of the 19 popular elects since 2000 have been able to win.

Last year, however, Avilius missed out as a $2.60 chance, running 4th behind the tearaway leader, Samadoubt, who won as a $41 shot. The Bjorn Baker-trained galloper was first up off an autumn campaign.

Gallopers resuming have an excellent record in this race, while those that are second up have also fared well. This year, 14 of the 18 runners (including the four emergencies) are resuming. The first five horses in this year’s market are resuming.

The past five winners of this race were also first up so the likes of Funstar and Master Of Wine can certainly be a factor. We go back to Tiger Tees in 2014, as the last horse to win this with a run under their belt.

That galloper had run in the Aurie’s Star Stakes (1200m) at Flemington but it is the Missile Stakes (1200m) that tends to be the more reliable lead up. Flit was runner-up in that race behind Eduardo this year, while Imaging ran 3rd. Melody Belle will be looking to improve second up and was last of the six runners.

Dreamforce has drawn barrier 16 and could come into 14 after the removal of the emergencies. Wide barriers have provided no real disadvantage to gallopers drawn out in past Winx Stakes with winners have come from a variety of positions, but keep in mind that the field this year is bigger than the norm.

Finally, the likes of Verry Elleegant, Melody Belle, Con Te Partiro, Flit and Funstar will be out to continue what has been a good record for mares in recent years. Royal Descent claimed victory in 2015 before the Winx era. Prior to that we go back to 2004 when Private Steer claimed the race.

Selection based on trends.

In general it is the horses that have the best overall record that have fired here, as well as ones that are below $10 in the market. Mares have also done well in the last five years, courtesy of Winx and Royal Descent. Verry Elleegant trends well for this race and can go close at the $8.

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