Winx fit and healthy ahead of trial

Triple Cox Plate winner Winx will have her first barrier trial ahead of her next campaign.

Trainer Chris Waller is not expecting too much from Winx’s barrier trial at Rosehill or from the body which determines the world’s best racehorse.

Winx will step out on Monday in a heat which includes top sprinter Redzel and three-year-old Group One winners Ace High and Trapeze Artist.

In London on Tuesday, the World’s Best will be announced with Winx favoured to take the Turf title but up against Dubai World Cup winner Arrogate for the top award.

The committee which decides the ratings has re-assessed 2017 but in the last rankings Arrogate was on 134 and Winx on 132.

English horses, Champion Stakes winner Cracksman and Arc winner Enable may also challenge if their respective 130 and 128 rankings have been revised.

No matter what happens, Waller is feeling less pressure going into the autumn than he did a few months ago when he was preparing Winx for the Cox Plate.

And he and her owners are no closer to a decision on an overseas campaign.

“I expect her to finish midfield in the trial,” Waller said.

“She has come back well. She is fit and sound but we are all aware she is in the twilight of her career.

“I actually feel the most relaxed I have felt for a long time training her.

“Maybe it is because the third Cox Plate is out of the way.”

Winx’s program is to defend the Group Two Apollo Stakes and Group One Chipping Norton and George Ryder after which the team will decide on a tilt at Royal Ascot.

While Winx is preparing for what might be her final campaign, the trainer is excited about the future for Performer who also runs in a trial on Monday.

The winner of the Breeders’ Plate in October, Performer is the favourite for the Golden Slipper in March.

Waller said the two-year-old colt had strengthened since his win.

“He has put on about 40 kilos. We are expecting him to trial well again and go to the Canonbury Stakes in a couple of weeks,” he said.

Group One-winning mares Foxplay and Egg Tart are also back in the stable getting ready for their autumn campaigns.