17/8/20 Randwick Races: Winx Stakes Nominations
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- Author: Mick GannonAug 17, 2020 01:09 PM
- Photo: AAP
Verry Elleegant tops the market
| Distance | 1,400m |
| Grade | Group 1 |
| Track | Randwick |
| Prizemoney | $500,000 |
| 2019 winner |
Samadoubt |
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)
| Recent | Horse Name | Trainer | Odds |
| 147x54533x | AVILIUS (GB) | James Cummings | $ 15.00 |
| 122x13437x | BRANDENBURG (NZ) | John Sargent | $ 15.00 |
| x405x6161x | CON TE PARTIRO (USA) | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | $ 15.00 |
| 1205x2810x | DREAMFORCE | John Thompson | $ 11.00 |
| x211x2348x | FIERCE IMPACT (JPN) | Matthew Smith | $ 11.00 |
| 914x1602x2 | FLIT | James Cummings | $ 11.00 |
| x211x2142x | FUNSTAR | Chris Waller | $ 8.00 |
| x20x8100x3 | IMAGING (GB) | Chris Waller | $ 15.00 |
| 111x45778x | KOLDING (NZ) | Chris Waller | $ 26.00 |
| x2311x114x | MASTER OF WINE (GER) | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | $ 6.00 |
| 112x3346x6 | MELODY BELLE (NZ) | Jamie Richards | $ 8.00 |
| 6101x300x5 | MISTER SEA WOLF (IRE) | Chris Waller | $ 26.00 |
| 81412x2322 | NICCANOVA | Steve Tregea | $ 35.00 |
| 116162x | PRAGUE | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | $ 26.00 |
| x3121x140x | QUACKERJACK | Mark Newnham | $ 26.00 |
| 9393x1720x | STAR OF THE SEAS (NZ) | Chris Waller | $ 26.00 |
| 0x9358x12x | THE BOSTONIAN (NZ) | Tony Pike | $ 8.00 |
| 410x42212x | VERRY ELLEEGANT (NZ) | Chris Waller | $ 5.00 |
| 185310x39x | WOLFE (JPN) | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | $ 51.00 |
| 26x1122x | ZEBROWSKI (NZ) | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | $ 26.00 |
