The spring racing season kicks off in model this Saturday at Royal Randwick with the Group 1 $1 million Winx Stakes (1400m), that includes a glittering discipline of elite gallopers led by Chris Waller’s reigning Cox Plate champion, By way of Sistina.
By way of Sistina successful the 2025 Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Picture: Bradley Images.
The eight-year-old mare, a daughter of Fastnet Rock, returns because the $2.70 favorite with Ladbrokes, aiming to defend her Winx Stakes crown and launch her marketing campaign towards a Ladbrokes Cox Plate title defence on October 25.
A confirmed performer each first-up and at Randwick, By way of Sistina was final seen claiming her ninth Group 1 victory within the Queen Elizabeth Stakes on April 12, equalling the seasonal document for elite-level wins. With $12.8 million in earnings, she’s a weight-for-age marvel and a real likelihood to push her Group 1 tally into double digits.
Victory on Saturday would make her the primary back-to-back Winx Stakes winner because the race’s namesake, Winx, accomplished a three-peat from 2016 to 2018. Nonetheless, there are a couple of caveats. She was crushed first-up in February’s Apollo Stakes at this similar observe and journey, and her solely earlier run on a Heavy-rated floor noticed her end fifth, practically seven lengths adrift in final yr’s Makybe Diva Stakes.
With Randwick presently rated Heavy (10), Waller has flagged the opportunity of scratching By way of Sistina in favour of the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield subsequent Saturday, ought to situations not enhance.
Waller’s dominance within the Winx Stakes is effectively documented, having received eight editions together with the final two. In 2024, he educated the trifecta with By way of Sistina edging out stablemates Zougotcha and Fangirl, the latter having received the race in 2023.
Fangirl, now seven, returns as a significant menace. The Sebring mare boasts a 50% successful strike fee over the Randwick 1400m and resumes following her Queen Of The Turf Stakes triumph in April. She’s top-of-the-line contemporary horses within the discipline, having crushed By way of Sistina within the Apollo earlier this yr, however like her stablemate, she’s but to show herself on bottomless floor.
One other key contender is Gringotts, educated by Ciaron Maher and priced at $6. The six-year-old son of Per Incanto narrowly defeated Fangirl within the George Ryder Stakes in March and has since trialled impressively on a Heavy (8) at Gosford. His Doncaster run might be forgiven—he completed eleventh however was lower than two lengths off the winner in a blanket end. With confirmed wet-track kind and jockey Tommy Berry aboard, Gringotts is effectively positioned to problem.
Maher additionally saddles Gentle Infantry Man ($19), the Australian Cup winner resuming in a race wanting his most popular distance however with class to function.
The opposite single-figure likelihood is Aeliana ($8), the rising four-year-old mare who dominated the ATC Derby final autumn with a five-length demolition. She’s anticipated to enhance over longer distances this prep however might shock contemporary, particularly if the observe stays testing.
Waller’s different runners embody Lindermann ($35), drawn widest in barrier 14, and US import Full Depend Felicia ($35), a frivolously raced mare with upside however going through a steep class rise.
Bjorn Baker brings a trio of runners: Robusto ($15), winner of the Winter Problem; Battle Everlasting ($23), contemporary off a Spring Preview win; and Arapaho ($26), the Sydney Cup hero resuming over a brief journey however one who thrives within the moist.
The 2025 Winx Stakes is about to leap as Race 8 at 3:50pm (AEST) on Randwick’s 10-race card, promising an exciting begin to the spring with kind, health, and footing all enjoying pivotal roles.
2025 Winx Stakes Subject & Limitations
| No | Final 10 | Horse | Coach | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Possible Weight | Penalty | Hcp Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7101x6310x | LIGHT INFANTRY MAN (FR) | Ciaron Maher | Ethan Brown | 7 | 59kg | 116 | ||
| 2 | 211x45315x | CEOLWULF (NZ) | Joseph Delight | Chad Schofield | 8 | 59kg | 115 | ||
| 3 | 22110x310x | GRINGOTTS (NZ) | Ciaron Maher | Tommy Berry | 10 | 59kg | 115 | ||
| 4 | 451x55241x | ARAPAHO (FR) | Bjorn Baker | Ms Rachel King | 4 | 59kg | 114 | ||
| 5 | 8x2332490x | LINDERMANN | Chris Waller | Nash Rawiller | 12 | 59kg | 111 | ||
| 6 | 762122×021 | ROBUSTO | Bjorn Baker | Joshua Parr | 9 | 59kg | 109 | ||
| 7 | 841315×821 | WAR ETERNAL (NZ) | Bjorn Baker | Dylan Gibbons | 6 | 59kg | 96 | ||
| 8 | x007x00926 | DIAMOND DIESEL | Adam Duggan | Andrew Adkins | 3 | 59kg | 89 | ||
| 9 | 5111x3111x | VIA SISTINA (IRE) | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 1 | 57kg | 125 | ||
| 10 | 3163x1221x | FANGIRL | Chris Waller | Kerrin McEvoy | 5 | 57kg | 118 | ||
| 11 | 16x4117x4x | FULL COUNT FELICIA (USA) | Chris Waller | Adam Hyeronimus | 11 | 57kg | 110 | ||
| 12 | 6112x3421x | AELIANA (NZ) | Chris Waller | Jason Collett | 2 | 56.5kg | 108 |
Desk Credit score: Racing Australia.
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