Winter Bride shows autumn form to win

Winter Bride has claimed the Group Three Wenona Girl Quality to open Randwick Guineas Day.

Queensland mare Winter Bride has added a third Group Three win to her record with a narrow but convincing victory in the Wenona Girl Quality at Randwick.

Trained at the Gold Coast by former Sydneysider Toby Edmonds, Winter Bride won two races at the same level in Melbourne during the spring, beating recent Oakleigh Plate winner Booker at Caulfield in October.

She was given a break after her unplaced run in the Group Two TAB Stakes won by Osborne Bullls over the straight 1200m-track at Flemington.

Saturday’s 1200m-race was her first start since and with Tommy Berry aboard, Winter Bride ($6.50) powered home late to beat favourite Spright ($3.60) by a short neck with Resin ($5.50) another half head third.

“The trip to Melbourne during in the spring has done her the world of good,” Edmonds said.

“Both trials this time in have been super. One was an official trial and one was a jump-out and she was super in both and we were confident she would run well.”

Edmonds said Winter Bride had been a slow-maturing type but she was now showing the benefits of time.

“These mares get better as they get older,” he said.

“She was quite weak early in her career. Tom rode her beautifully.

“I was a bit concerned with the 58kg as an anchor but she is so game and tenacious.”

Edmonds said he and owners Segenhoe would look at options, of which there are many.

“There are a stack of races for her,” he said.

“We’ll go home and talk about it and then work out where we go.”

Berry, who grew up at Warwick Farm where Edmonds used to train, was happy to ride a winner for his old friend.

“She knows what she’s got to do and she’s a winner, plain and and simple,” Berry said.

“She’s won nine from 18. She knows where the line is and she got there today, which is nice.”