Winx ready for second-last race

Winx will be led out on to the Rosehill track for the final time ahead of the George Ryder Stakes.

When it comes to Winx, trainer Chris Waller admits he still gets nervous even though the champion is approaching retirement.

Winx had a work-out between races at Rosehill on Saturday, a routine that has served her well over the past few years leading into a big race.

The next big race is the Group One George Ryder Stakes (1500m) on Saturday which is scheduled to be her penultimate start and her last at Rosehill.

She will be aiming for 32 successive victories and her 24th at Group One level before her planned farewell in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick three weeks later.

In the absence of Hugh Bowman who was riding in Melbourne on Saturday, Kerrin McEvoy took the reins and the champion worked smoothly around a circuit of the track to the relief of her trainer.

“You get the Winx jitters,” Waller said.

“You get the butterflies and you get a bit edgy and start walking on the spot and then it’s a relief when it’s done. I’m sure it’s the same for her.

There was some talk of stepping up to the 2000 metres of the Ranvet Stakes but Waller said they would stick to the tried and true and Winx will try to add her fourth George Ryder.

“I won’t even nominate for the other race,” Waller said.

“That’s Winx, whatever you wanted to run her in, whether it be the Ranvet, whatever.”

“In the spring we go 2000 into 2000, in the autumn we go 1500 into 2000.”

Winx will also follow her usual routine throughout the week.

“She will have another gallop Tuesday and a media morning Thursday as per normal and just keep a nice, normal routine,” Waller said.

Winx will naturally be the short-priced favourite on Saturday as will stablemate The Autumn Sun in the Rosehill Guineas.

Ahead of Tuesday’s declaration of the final field and barrier draw, the stable also has the favourite for the Golden Slipper, Yes Yes Yes.