Winx Stakes Tips - Gringotts to cause minor upset in Winx Stakes as Heavy track looms

Headlining the race is Via Sistina, the reigning Cox Plate (2040m) champion and $2.80 favourite with elitebet, looking to defend her Winx Stakes crown for Chris Waller and James McDonald. 

Waller, who boasts eight wins in the race's history, has a formidable team of seven runners including Fangirl, Aeliana, and River Of Stars. While all have trialled impressively, wet weather remains a concern with Randwick rated a Heavy 10 and more rain forecast through the week.

Trainer Joe Pride is optimistic about Ceolwulf's first-up effort despite the track conditions. A dual Group 1 winner last spring, Ceolwulf has trialled well and proven himself on wet ground.  

Meanwhile, Gringotts, a first-up specialist and Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) winner, looms as a major threat with Tommy Berry confident the 1400m trip and soft ground will suit him perfectly. 

With a deep field that includes Mr Brightside and Light Infantry Man, Saturday’s Winx Stakes shapes as a pivotal launchpad for spring campaigns across Sydney and Melbourne.

There is a bit to take into account with the majority of these appearing for the first time this spring, while it is hard to see Randwick not being in the Heavy range with a deluge on Thursday to be followed by up to 10mm on both Friday and Saturday. 

Via Sistina and Fangirl have the pick of the first up credentials with Via Sistina winning this race last year, while Fangirl had the upper hand on that horse when claiming the Apollo Stakes earlier this year. Ceolwulf has never won when first up in five attempts, while Lindermann has missed out in seven starts. 

Via Sistina has raced just once on a Heavy track, producing her worst performance in her time in Australia when a well-beaten 5th in the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) last year. Gringotts has never raced on the Heavy. Ceolwulf has some solid Heavy track stats, while Lindermann has not fired in six attempts. 

Gringotts is one of nine horses in the field of 12 that is resuming and his best form has been when settling in the first few. He might slide across from barrier 10. Lindermann, Robusto and Full Count Felicia are others that are likely to be up on the speed. Tempo should be even or on the slow side of even. Via Sistina draws the inside barrier and it will be interesting to see how the inside part of the track is playing on the likely Heavy 10 by the time Race 8 rolls around. Near her should be Ceolwulf and Aeliana, while Fangirl tends to get back in her runs. 

Via Sistina is the best horse in Australia but I will be avoiding the $2.80 due to the Heavy track and the inside barrier, while she has much bigger targets to come. Gringotts is an unknown on the Heavy but was a trial winner on a Heavy recently, while some of his best benchmark figures have been on Soft tracks with his record on the Soft reading as four wins and two placings from six starts. The wide barrier (10) might be an advantage at this stage of the day, while his racing pattern and career record (21:10-4-4) make him a serious threat. If the pace is solid early on, this will no doubt bring the likes of Fangirl and Aeliana into the equation but happy to roll the dice on Gringotts. 

For those after an out and out roughie, Arapaho is one to consider. The Sydney Cup (3200m) winner comes back as a nine-year-old and wasn't far from the likes of Fangirl and Via Sistina in the Apollo Stakes back in the autumn when fresh. He will absolutely love the Heavy conditions and has attracted a bit of support at odds since the barrier draw.