The Chris Waller trained five-year-old Street Cry mare Winx (AUS) shares the honour of the top ranking with American dirt galloper Arrogate (USA) with a rating of 127.
On Saturday there seemed more reason to think that the remarkable winning sequence might come to an end on a saturated Rosehill track after significant rain all week offering the heaviest racing conditions witnessed in Sydney for a long time.
However, Winx’s win under Hugh Bowman will be remembered for one of the champion racemare’s greatest ever performances.
The mare, who finished 2016 as the highest rated turf horse and highest rated filly/mare in the world, treated the racing public in both Australia and those watching the race on broadcasts around the world to a galloping exhibition, careering away from her opposition to score by no less than seven and a quarter lengths.
While not one of her rivals, including no less than three Group 1 winners, ever seemed to be traveling well enough at any stage of the race to provide the remarkable racemare with some resistance, Winx was in complete control from the 500m mark.
She then went on to win without her opponents landing a single blow. Equal world fifth ranked runners Le Romain (AUS) and Chautauqua (AUS) were second and third with fellow Group 1 winner Hauraki (AUS) fourth.
Winx, who was a A$230,000 yearling purchase at the 2013 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale on the Gold Coast, has now earned stakes of A$10,438,925
“I did not expect her to win like that. She is just an amazing horse. It is amazing to have a horse that you are associated with who is so well received,” said Waller after the win.
“It is such an honour to be part of her career and at such a significant part,” said Bowman.
“It is a very big team effort by everyone. I think everyone in racing gets a special feeling out of her as a champion,” he said.
Winx will now go forward for the Group 1 WFA Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on April 8th for her final race of this four race Sydney campaign.
Godolphin’s nominal Australian jockey James Doyle will be back in the saddle this week ahead of Saturday’s G1 BMW meeting at Rosehill.
Doyle has been out of action since mid-February, recovering from injuries suffered in a fall at Randwick.
The Englishman broke a bone in his hand and damage to his knee, but has declared himself keen and ready to get back into the action at Sydney’s rich Autumn carnival.
“My wrist and knee have healed well and I am delighted to resume racing on Wednesday.”
“It has been a frustrating few weeks missing out on some of the key Autumn races.”
Doyle has tested his injuries in trackwork over the past week and come through without a problem.
At this stage he is due to ride trials on Tuesday at Randwick before three rides at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
“I have some exciting rides to look forward to for the rest of the championships and I cant wait to get back into the action.”
Doyle’s mounts will include Magic Hurricane in the G1 BMW and the two-year-old Astoria in the G3 Schweppervescence Handicap.
He is also down for rides at Thursday’s Kembla Grange meeting.
William Buick, who covered for Buick over the past two Saturday race meetings has returned to Dubai and will ride at next weekend’s Dubai World Cup meeting.
Godolphin’s Australian trainer John O’Shea paid tribute to Buick and Doyle who he said had shown “true professionalism” to fit straight into his team.
“William and James are world-class riders who have come here at short notice and rode winners straight away. They are true professionals,” O’Shea said.
