Winx farewell dominates The Championships Day 2

The Winx farewell race, the $4M Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes, dominated The Championships Day 2 at Randwick.

The great mare won her final race to the adoration of the massive crowd and the attention of race fans around the world.

Not since Black Caviar have we seen such amazing and emotion-filled scenes on a racetrack.

Winx paraded down the Randwick straight, and stood majestically in front of the grandstand as the crowd cheered, clapped and waved.

I couldn’t help but think that sometimes the authorities overlook what people truly love about horse racing.

In their rush to book the latest rock bands, roll out fashion shows and novelty pony races, the thing that binds people to racing has been lost.

We all love a bet, finding a winner, enjoying a glass of bubbly with friends.

But moments like what we witnessed on Saturday, with tears shed and hugs abound in awe of heroes, that is what racing is all about.

Queen Elizabeth Stakes

Winx won the Queen Elizabeth Stakes for the third consecutive year.

Her 33^rd race victory in succession equaled Phar Lap’s record of 37 career wins.

She always had the race at her mercy, enjoying a perfect run and sprinting clear in her own inimitable style.

The Winx farewell race itself was a mere formality.

The scenes afterward are something all racing fans and non-racing fans will never forget.

Of course, as with any race involving the seemingly unbeatable Winx, there was no end of big bets landing.

$374k at $1.10 and $246k at $1.06. Unconfirmed reports of one punter having upwards of half a $Million on the mare.

These bets returned dividends in the Winx farewell of between $10,000-30,000, the equivalent of risking a house to buy a car.

As it turns out there was no risk.

In fact, more money has been invested on Winx over her career than any other horse in the history of horse racing.

Shraaoh’s Sydney Cup

The Sydney Cup was won by Shraaoh, a 6YO well-related gelding by Sea The Stars who was brought to Australia from the UK by Australian Bloodstock. 

Shraaoh’s form had been indifferent, winning on Melbourne Cup day but failing to repeat ever since.

However, despite starting at $13.80, his recent form suggested he had been knocking on the door.

The race was a battle between Shraaoh and Vengeur Masque ($31) with the former prevailing by a long neck.

Vengeur Masque paid more than $10 for the place, again confirming the value of place betting.

Legacy Stakes

The Coolmore Legacy Stakes was a crack field but won by ex-Weir horse Kenedna $26 who had always promised to win at the level.

Kenedna ($26) won by a half-neck over Dixie Blossoms ($7), with a further short head to Unforgotten ($10).

In perhaps a lesson for punters, the jockey Johnny Allen knew the horse well from Darren Weir’s stable.

“We had to weave a bit of a passage but she is so tough and so genuine, she really stuck her head out for me late.”

How beneficial is it to have a jockey who knows the horse?

Kenedna continues on to Queensland for the winter carnival.

Australian Oaks

In the Australian Oaks, Verry Elleegant was competely dominant, as expected for a $2 even money favourite.

Despite a wide draw, jockey James McDonald came down the outside with a withering run to blow the field away.

She scored by 1-3/4 lengths over Scarlet Dream ($12) with Frankely Awesome ($5) a further 2-1/2 lengths back in third place.

“That was a brilliant win. She’s a very exceptional filly and I think the best is yet to come,” trainer Chris Waller said.

Verry Elleegant’s dominant win in the Oaks was certainly a highlight of The Championships Day 2.

Easter race meetings

Racing continues at Randwick for the All-Aged Stakes meeting and at Caulfield for the Easter meeting.

Be sure to check out our racing tips published every Saturday morning.

For something a little different, try your hand at picking the Quaddie for the price of a coffee.

Tags: raceday reviews, the championships, Winx

Category: Horse Racing