Wondermare Winx back for more in 2019 but trip to Royal Ascot not on agenda

Australian wondermare Winx will race on in 2019 connections have confirmed, but a trip to Britain for Royal Ascot is not part of their plans.

A winner of her last 29 starts – 22 at Group 1 level – Winx was last seen securing another slice of history in October when she captured a record-breaking fourth Cox Plate at Moonee Valley.

Trainer Chris Waller announced the welcome news on Friday when he revealed a schedule that could mean the daughter of Street Cry returning to action in the Group 2 Star Apollo Stakes at Randwick on February 16.

Chris Waller: trainer has mapped out a route for WinxCredit: Getty Images

The Chipping Norton and George Ryder – contests the Queen of Australian racing is on four-timers in – could also be on the agenda before she signs off in April's Queen Elizabeth Stakes, which she has won for the last two years.

"She has nothing left to prove to us or her many followers and we are under no illusion that she is getting a little older, however, she is in excellent condition both physically and mentally and had she not pleased us in any area of her wellbeing or mental state she would have been retired immediately," Waller said.

"We will not commit to any races as yet but it would be logical to follow the path we have previously, commencing in the Apollo Stakes at Royal Randwick in February and if she did manage to get through a four-race preparation it would most likely culminate in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Randwick.

"I must stress to everyone that it shouldn't be assumed she will be there, it will be a race-by-race assessment as it has always been, especially over the past two seasons when deciding whether to go towards a third Cox Plate, a second Queen Elizabeth or even a fourth Cox Plate as it was in her last start."

Wondermare Winx up there with Black Caviar

Confirmation the horse rated alongside Cracksman as the best in the world would stay in training may have raised hopes she would travel overseas, but Waller rejected that notion.

He said: "There will be many questions from different sectors relating to racing in other jurisdictions, which, in itself, could include numerous options.

"However, we have and will continue to keep things simple with Winx and I believe that has been a big part of her longevity as well as something we are very proud of."

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