Winx Delights With Career Best Trial
Winx produced a career-best barrier trial performance—according to the men who know her best—in her scheduled Aug. 6 trial, and quirky grey Chautauqua once again refused to leave the barriers during a high-class session conducted at Rosehill.
That was the wash-up from the 12 barrier trials held Sunday in Sydney, which also saw the reappearance of Gr.1 Tab Everest favorite Trapeze Artist,Gr.1 Golden Slipper Stakes Gr.1 winner Estijaab, and a host of other high-class horses, including Alizee, Ace High, and Performer.
Winx closed off strongly in heat one over 1,000 meters (five furlongs) on the Rosehill course proper to be beaten 1 1/4 lengths by group 1 winner Alizee. Dual group 1 winner Ace High finished three-quarters of a length behind the winner in a performance that saw Winx finish third after being kept in behind other runners before working past the leaders after the finishing line.
On the back of two barrier trials, Winx is set to resume in the 1,400 meter (seven-furlong) Winx Gr.1 Warwick Stakes Aug. 18 at Randwick, a race she has won the past two years when it was known as the Gr.2 Warwick Stakes.
Chautauqua, who was entered for heat six over 900 meters (4 1/2 furlongs), did not jump with his nine rivals when the gates opened but Tommy Berry was able to coax the 8-year-old to leave the barriers and produce a sharp piece of work.
He officially completed the trial, which was won by the Gary Moore-trained Auchentoman. The future of the Hawkes Racing trainee, who refused to leave the barriers on multiple occasions last season and also this campaign, remains on tenterhooks.
Racing New South Wales chief steward Marc Van Gestel says connections would need to make submissions as to why Chautauqua is allowed to be nominated for barrier trials if they choose to try and continue his racing career.
Credit: Ritesh Jamkhedkar ritesh.jamkhedkar@secretariatsworld.com