The first Group 1 of the 2022/23 racing season in Australia has attracted 11 acceptances, with rising star Anamoe and defending champ Mo’unga set to do battle in the Winx Stakes at Randwick this Saturday.
2022 Winx Stakes draws 11 acceptors
The first Group 1 for the 2022/23 racing season in Australia has attracted 11 acceptances.
The Winx Stakes will be run over 1400m at Sydney’s Royal Randwick Racecourse on Saturday, August 20, for prizemoney of AU$750,000.
Heading the field of 11 is last year’s winner from the Annabel Neasham stable, Mo’unga, who has drawn barrier two with Tommy Berry aboard.
Mo’unga is trying to become the fourth horse in recent history to multiple Winx Stakes, while he would be the first to do it since the race has been a Group 1.
Star galloper Anamoe is Mo’unga’s main danger according to the top betting sites, and he is set to jump from the inside barrier under James McDonald.
Anamoe is one of six four-year-olds who have accepted for the race, with Group 1 winners Profondo, Fangirl and Hinged among the other five.
Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes have accepted with Hilal, while John O’Shea’s Australian Derby runner-up Benaud is also set to resume.
Melbourne Cup and Caulfield Cup favourite Duais is among the acceptances, with the triple Group 1 winner having to come from barrier five for Ed Cummings and Joshua Parr.
Fellow mares Icebath and Forbbiden Love have drawn wide gates, coming from barriers eight and 10 respectively.
Rounding out the field of 11 is Joseph Pride‘s stayer Stockman.
The Winx Stakes is scheduled for 3:45pm AEST this Saturday.