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Winx Defends her Queen Elizabeth Crown in a Breeze

Mark Smith - Saturday April 14

With her facile victory in Saturday's $4 million Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m), Winx equalled the record of the undefeated Black Caviar with 25 wins in succession and this one must rate highly on her exceptional regime.

Taking on a field of in-form gallopers, Winx settled back last under Hugh Bowman as Gailo Chop took the field up through honest sectionals.

Bowman called on Winx to get within striking range on the home turn. With her patented brand of acceleration, Winx went from four lengths behind to four in front in the space of 300 metres and was throttled down in the closing stages to defeat Gailo Chop (FR) by three and three-quarter lengths with Happy Clapper, who not have the cleanest of runs down the straight, a neck back in third. (photos Steve Hart ). 


It was an unprecedented 18th Group 1 win for the champion daughter of Street Cry (IRE) taking her overall record to 29 wins and 3 seconds from 35 starts with earnings of $18,998,425.

It was also the 80th Group 1 win for both Waller and Bowman

"For the first time in a long time I went through her opposition last night, I haven't done that for years," Waller said. "I was thinking 'what's everyone beating up?'

"I've got the most respect for Happy Clapper, the most respect for Humidor, Gailo Chop and Ambitious coming from overseas but she only needed to get to her rating and she's just too good.

Hugh Bowman said his mission is not to set the 6yo mare an impossible task.

"She's such an exceptional individual and obviously with that comes a huge level of responsibility," he said

"At the end of the day I have so much faith in her. I've just got to have her happy.

"I can't make miracles happen, all I can do is have her comfortable and allow her to do her job. What an amazing thrill she gives me and just look at all the people here and around the world watching her."


A half-sister to Group III ATC Kindergarten Stakes winner El Divino, Winx was a $230,000 purchase by Magic Bloodstock out of the Coolmore draft at the 2013 MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Her dam Vegas Showgirl, a dual Listed stakes-winning daughter of Al Akbar, was a $455,000 purchase by Colm Santry Bloodstock at the 2008 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.

Vegas Showgirl has a yearling Snitzel filly named Courchevel and a weanling filly by Exceed And Excel.

"She was bred back to Exceed and Excel last spring but failed to conceive.

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