Winx following familiar path to spring

Winx in a barrier trial at Randwick ahead of her return in the Warwick Stakes.

Australia’s most famous horse has made an anonymous visit to the races but that is all about to change.

Winx was taken the short distance from her Rosehill stable to soak up the raceday atmosphere on Saturday ahead of her return in the Group Two Warwick Stakes a week later.

Trainer Chris Waller is a stickler for routine and sees no reason to change anything about her preparation apart from giving her a more solid work-out than usual in a barrier trial last week.

“She came to the races just to get used to the atmosphere again,” Waller said.

“We did that with her last year before she ran in the Warwick Stakes.”

Winx beat six rivals in the 2016 Warwick Stakes (1400m) including the outstanding Hartnell who has been diverted to Melbourne and the P B Lawrence Stakes.

Her next door neighbour Foxplay is expected to be among the nominations along with another stablemate Antonio Giuseppe.

Foxplay also has the option of the Toy Show Quality (1300m) on Saturday’s program.

Trainer Gerald Ryan will nominate Red Excitement and Harper’s Choice while Kris Lees is likely to enter Missile Stakes winner Invincible Gem and John Thompson could have durable mare Zanbagh in the race.

While the public focus is on Winx, Waller has other spring carnival aspirants to look after and two of the leading lights, Egg Tart and Omei Sword will run in barrier trials on Monday morning at Warwick Farm.

A dual Group One winner of the Schweppes Oaks and Queensland Oaks, Egg Tart will embark on a similar program to that followed by Winx two years ago.

“She will trial on Monday and then the plan is the Theo Marks and the Epsom. It’s the Winx pattern,” he said.

The Winx pattern also included her first Cox Plate but Waller has yet to commit Egg Tart that far.

The stable holds a slot in The Everest on October 14 with Omei Sword the only contender from within.

“She is our only one and if it’s not her we would look at a trade,” he said.

Group One placegetter Spieth from the Bryce Heys stable is among the horses set to trial on Monday and a $15 chance in the $10 million Everest although he has yet to secure a spot.