Champion mare Winx will not race again this spring after her trainer Chris Waller and owners decided to send her for a spell rather than chase a 14th consecutive win in the lucrative $2million Emirates Stakes over 2000m at Flemington on November 5.
In a statement released on Monday afternoon, Waller said that despite serious consideration being given to running at Flemington connections felt that a reasonable period in the spelling paddock would be in the mare’s best interests.
“At this stage targets in the autumn are yet to be discussed but the most logical races will make up her autumn campaign,” the statement read.
“Other options such as travelling overseas and returning for a third Cox Plate in 2017 are also items the owners and I will discuss in the near future.
“She has pulled up well from the race with the exception of a minor abrasion to her hind leg.
“Simple bathing and a trip or two to the beach would see it naturally heal; however I have taken the aggressive approach of treating it with antibiotics to ensure no risks are taken.”
Waller went on to acknowledge the admiration shown to Winx by her legion of racing fans and the public and that he hoped there would be many more special moments to come in the future.