Winx Stakes Tips - Can Fangirl go back to back in the Winx Stakes?

Eleven of the 12 contenders will be first up on Saturday, including the race favourite, Fangirl. The Chris Waller mare has won three of seven fresh runs, including a dominant victory in the Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Randwick back the autumn when going a healthy 13 lenghts faster than standard benchmark, leaving the likes of Militarize and Think It Over in her wake.

The six-year-old is one of six runners in the race for Chris Waller, who saddles up the second favourite, Via Sistina. The imported galloper was a fresh winner in the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) in the autumn, overcoming a slow tempo to score at her local debut. She was then outclassed by Pride Of Jenni in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes. 

Riff Rocket is regarded for his performances over lomnger trips but can sprint well fresh and was a first up winner at Flemington over the 1400m before taking out the Rosehill Guineas (2000m) and Australian Derby (2400m) later on. 

He is one of three horses aged four that will be out to measure up against older horses after dominating his age group in the autumn. Zardozi is a Godolphin galloper that was rock solid against the fillies last autumn and finished alongside Tom Kitten in a recent trial. That horse was an impressive winner last weekend. Fangirl wasnt pushed out when 5th in the same trial. 

Tropical Squall is unbeaten in three runs when fresh and went eight lenghts faster than stanard benchmark when leading all the way to claim the Surround Stakes (1500m) at this stage in the autumn. She was a recent trial winner and will look to push across from the barrier. 

Zougotcha is another in the market and hasnt produced huge figures in the past but just finds a way to win. She was unbeaten in her three runs last time in with two of those coming at Group 1 level and must be respected. 

It is hard to tip against Fangirl in the first Group 1 of the season. She has matured into a topliner and was runner-up behind Anamoe in this race two years ago before going one better in 2023. The daugther of Sebring has the form on the board with her recent fresh runs and should be suited by the pace in the race with Tropical Squall and Just Fine among a number that will go forward. 

The value might lie with Tropical Squall. The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained galloper was an impressive fresh winner at her last preparation at Group 1 level before tapering off slightly after that. She will put herself in the contest by settling on the speed and with a number of staying types resuming, the daughter of Sebring might be able to get away with some cheap early sectionals. Her recent trial performance is a positive and she will be ridden by Adam Hyeronimous, who has had success with her and the stable in the past.