17/8/20 Randwick Races: Winx Stakes Nominations

The Winx Stakes signals the start of Group 1 racing for the new season, giving high-quality middle distance and staying types an opportunity to launch their Spring campaigns.

Originally referred to as the Warwick Stakes, the race was renamed in 2018. 

Notable past winners of the Winx Stakes include Winx (2016, 2017,2018), Lonhro (2003, 2001), Sunline (1999) and Super Impose (1990, 1991).

Verry Elleegant $5.00 heads the all-in market for this year's event and will be looking to add to her tally of three Group 1 scalps.

The Chris Waller trained mare revels in the predicted conditions, with a record of 12:7-3-0 on rain affected going.

The biggest query around this girl is her poor first-up record (4:0-2-0) and the fact that she's only had the one lead up trial coming into what could be a long preparation.

She won't be fully wound up, so punters will be looking for her class to prevail on Saturday. 

Connections of gun Kiwi mare Melody Belle $8.00 will be hoping that she can improve second-up. She was disappointing last start and will need to show sharp improvement to fight out the finish here. 

Early Race Tip 

Flit $15.00 was impressive first-up in the Group 2 Missile Stakes, running within 1.5 lengths of the winner Eduardo.

In the process, she finished 3.1 lengths in front of Melody Belle who has opened shorter in the betting at $8.00.  

Under the Weight For Age conditions, Flit will meet Melody Belle 0.5kg better at the weights with both runners arriving here second-up. 

The barrier draw and jockey nomination will play a big role in who we can back with confidence, but at this stage the Godolphin mare looks value. 

Nominations & all-in market for Saturday's Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m)