The first major of the 2024/25 racing season is the Winx Stakes (1400m), which will be run and won this Saturday at Randwick.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2024 Winx Stakes.
2024 Winx Stakes Speed Map
I think there will be good speed here. Just Fine/Tropical Squall look your first two and they could control the tempo, or does Tropical Squall take no prisoners, finds the front and rolls? Semana maps perfect to stalk the duo, likewise Zougotcha. Fangirl/Via Sistina will opt for cover from tricky gates.
2024 Winx Stakes Runner Preview:
1 .Buckaroo: I am convinced he is a good horse but he’s not here to play with the barrier and jockey booking. Barrier trial.
2. Detonator Jack: What are they thinking with this horse? Is he a miler? A 2000m horse? Not sure, but his trial work in readiness for the return has been outstanding and maps to get a suck run to launch late. I am not penning him.
3. Zeyrek: Hasn’t won in a fair while and is better suited over further. Like Buckaroo, this is pretty much a barrier trial for him.
4. Just Fine: Bone dry track horse so conditions will be crucial to him. That said, I think his prep last year this time has busted him. He didn’t a fire a shot in the Autumn and his trials leading in have been fair. I am surprised he is as short as he is. Can have him much longer, even if he does lead.
5. Riff Rocket: Is he the fresh blood and the new WFA star? Brilliant first up winner at this trip last prep and ended the campaign with a strong Derby win. Only the very best can win at that distance range. He’s a star and despite the wide gate, has to be given respect.
6. Fangirl: Fangirl won this race last year. Is she going as well 12 months on? It’s hard to say, because her trial work, to my eye, has been just okay. Nothing too great, and her piece of work between races last Saturday was similar, so it’s hard to get a gauge on her but purely off race day form, she is a top class mare and has to be respected.
7. Via Sistina: I think she is a chunk in the market that can be removed. She has only been used to sit/sprints and her aim isn’t here. Wide barrier, jockey booking, her trials have been very quiet. I don’t think she can give them a start and beating, and I don’t think she has a turn of foot of Fangirl. I’m against her here.
8. Atishu: Atishu is seven years of age but she seems to be getting better with age. She had a very good Autumn prep and I think most would agree that she should have won the Queen Of The Turf but was slaughtered by B Shinn. Her trial work has been outstanding and I reckon she’s here to rock and roll.
9. Zougotcha: Lovely mare who was kissed on the date with the Queen Of The Turf win. No place to hide now taking on the A grade so it will be fascinating to see how she measures up. Her trial work has been great, she maps to stalk the good speed and will be strong late.
10. Semana: Semana lacks the class of some of these but she is the one, I feel, that comes here with intent. She has residual fitness from QLD when second to star mare Bella Nipotina in the Tatts Tiara. She is the one with fitness on her side and her recent trial win at Warwick Farm when on speed and trucking, proving quite dominant late. Lands near the front and will give a big sight.
11. Tropical Squall: She looks wound up to go. Two strong trial wins under the belt for her return, Yulong have purchased her and they will want an immediate result aka a Group l win at WFA. Wide draw, but she’ll press forward and I dare say either lead or sit outside Just Fine. Hard to beat.
12. Zardozi: I think whatever she does here, she will improve on, but she is a star in her own right. Has eyes I dare say on the Cups and maps to do no work and find the line strongly late. Not sure she can threaten as a winning/first four contender, but she’ll be an eye catcher.
2024 Winx Stakes $100 Betting Strategy:
Going to have two plays in the race, both tote/top fluc plays. $10 Win/$50 Place Semana. As I said, I think she is here to play with intent off the trial and maps perfect. But I am not going to dismiss Fangirl because she is the best horse in the race and has runs on the board. $40 Win on her.
Group l Strategy Outlay: $0
Group l Strategy Return: $0
2024 Winx Stakes Odds:
