So far, so good: Waller happy with Winx as he looks forward to comeback

Winx's preparation for an attempt on Cox Plate history will step up a gear in Sydney next month when she contests the Winx Stakes, in which a victory would see her beat Black Caviar's winning streak of 25.

Trainer Chris Waller said the three-time Cox Plate winner will get to the Group 1 A$500,000 (£280,288) race – contested over seven furlongs on August 18 – via two trials and a possible exhibition gallop.

Winx form

Winx's first public engagement is only a matter of weeks away with Racing New South Wales claiming the July 20 trials at Warwick Farm or those at Rosehill three days later are being considered for her first test of the campaign.

Hugh Bowman rode Winx at Rosehill on Thursday morning in her track work, with Waller reporting that the Street Cry mare is showing all the right signs.

Waller said: "Hughie pulled up well. Winx pulled up better. Her attitude and body language are great."

Feeling relaxed

Waller admitted he felt more relaxed about Winx's impending campaign, which will include a bid for a historic fourth straight Cox Plate.

"We've been training her long enough to almost be used to it," he said. "The first year was just like training any other horse, the second year the pressure was on with the expectation to keep her performing. Do we try new things or keep it the same? Her body was changing.

"The third year she went to a whole new level again, getting close to Black Caviar's records and other records, but now she's reached her fourth year, it's just like last year but we’ve been there before. I'm actually feeling quite relaxed about her."

A win in the Winx Stakes would be her 19th Group 1 victory.

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