Group 1 Winx Stakes: Expert preview and betting strategy

The Winx Stakes is the first Group 1 race of the racing season, with the 2022 edition to be run at Randwick on Saturday, August 20th..

Formerly known as the Warwick Stakes, the race was renamed the Winx Stakes – and upgraded to Group 1 status – in 2018 in honour of the champion mare. Winx won the race three times in a row from 2016 to 2018, during her record-breaking unbeaten streak.

The Winx Stakes is run over 1400 metres and is often used as a campaign-starter for many star horses who are headed to some of the Spring Carnival’s biggest races. As a result, punters can usually expect a high-quality field, but with the majority of entrants having their first run for the preparation. This can make for somewhat of a form challenge, with no recent performances to go on and horses and different stages of fitness.

Winx Stakes 2022: Alfie’s preview

Track It’s currently a Soft 6 with some showers forecast on Friday.

Speed Map The pace overall is just average. Profondo and Forbidden Love to lead with Anamoe, Benaud and Hinged tucked in behind the leaders. Mounga, Hilal and Duais are one length further back.

Runner-by-runner

Prices courtesy of TopSport at time of publication.

3 Anamoe [$2.50] is probably the best horse in this race, but do I want to be taking this price on him? Probably not. Not sure how they will ride him or where he settles in the run.

1 Mo’unga [$6] won this race last year and the track will want to be drying out to be at his best for this race. He’s a big chance to win again.

8 Forbidden Love [$6.50] had wet form from last prep that’s now questionable after the Missile Stakes. I would want to see her put a number up on a drier track.

10 Fangirl [$7] won a Group 2 over 1200 metres first-up last prep. She’ll settle back and I can’t see her chasing down some of the horses in front of her.

4 Profondo [$11] I think it will be better later on in the prep over longer.

11 Hinged [$15] will have to improve from last prep – or some of these top horses will have to regress – to win this.

5 Hilal [$20] I was against it last start but now up in distance, there will be worse horses at similar odds this weekend.

I think the rest will be peaking later in the prep and looking for longer: 9 Icebath [$34], 7 Duais [$18], 6 Benaud [$81], 2 Stockman [$91]

Betting strategy

Best Bet Mo’unga

I basically have the race down to two: Mounga or Anamoe. The question mark with Anamoe will be if they are out to win this or not. If the track is drying out on Saturday, I would rather take the odds about Mo’unga than the short price about Anamoe.