Work completed for Winx Stakes for Waller's army

Despite persistent rainfall across Sydney, Chris Waller remains optimistic about his powerful team heading into the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick this Saturday.

The track was already rated a Heavy 8 at the time of nominations on Monday, with forecasts warning of up to 100mm more rain through to race day. Even so, Waller, who has seven of the 18 entries, isn’t panicking.

“At this time of year, every day is a different day with weather,” Waller said. “We’ve had to restrict a lot of their work, but with these ones they’ve actually been well ahead of it. They’ve actually been on the right leg, while other horses have been on the wrong leg. They’ve had their trials and exhibition gallop while other horses are struggling to even have their first trials.”

Waller said his runners would go around provided conditions don’t deteriorate sharply. “If the forecast is like it has been and we are not seeing those 40 to 50mm (of rain), they will be running, but we’ll make a decision later in the week if we need to, but I want to run them, as long as the track is safe. I need to get them started.”

His group includes Via Sistina, Fangirl, Lady Shenandoah, Lindermann, Full Count Felicia, Aeliana and River Of Stars. Jockey bookings include James McDonald (Via Sistina), Jason Collett (Aeliana) and Kerrin McEvoy (Fangirl), with the trio partnered with their rides in gallops at Rosehill on the weekend.

“They’re well prepared. They’re not going into the race underdone or heavy,” Waller said. “Rain on the day is the worst thing, and you can’t control that. I’ve got respect for the Sydney tracks. I think they’re better and we saw in the autumn with some rain they recovered quickly.”

Waller added that the Randwick surface has benefitted from not hosting racing last week. “Missing that meeting a week ago at Randwick is probably a Godsend because it’s got good grass. That’s what kills tracks is overuse but we’re going onto a fresh track, (with the rail in the) true position. It will be fine.”

Beyond Waller’s seven runners, other headline entries include Mr Brightside, Light Infantry Man, Ceolwulf, Gringotts and Another Wil.