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By Ray Hickson

The fact star mare Fangirl is back from a potentially life-threatening injury in time to attempt a defence of her Winx Stakes crown is a win in itself for trainer Chris Waller and her owners.

Trainer Chris Waller (Pic: Grant Guy)

If she’s able to snare her fourth Group 1 success at Royal Randwick on Saturday, she heads a six-strong team from the leading stable in the Winx Stakes (1400m), Waller said it will be a testament to the care she received.

Fangirl’s autumn was restricted to just two runs when not long after running second in the Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes she sustained a deep cut to her leg in a stable accident that sent a shock through the Waller stable.

“The day she had her injury I didn’t expect her to probably be racing again, let alone survive,’’ Waller said.

“It’s a remarkable story how he’s recovered. She had a nasty injury but through great care and attention from our staff, and the vets, we have got her back in work and you can barely see a blemish.

“She’s racing again in a pretty short timeframe without bending anything. We’ve followed guidelines with the vets, our vets as well as the Randwick Equine Clinic, and they have done a great job.

“When it first happened I think her life was in danger, could have gone either way.”

The six-year-old hasn’t been extended in her two barrier trials and had a day out at Rosehill races last weekend, working 1000m in easy time in an exhibition gallop under James McDonald.

What Waller has noticed about Fangirl, $2.15 with TAB on Wednesday, is that the injury meant she’s had a longer break than usual which has allowed her to fill out and put on condition. He wouldn't call it a blessing in disguise but the extra time has served her well.

“I’ve never really been able to train her properly,’’ he said.

“She’s never had as much weight on her as I’d like, she‘s got that weight on her now so I can do a bit more with her and expect a bit more deeper into her preps.

“I’m hoping that will carry her right through the spring.”

A defence of her stunning victory in the inaugural $5m Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) on TAB Everest Day is high on Waller’s agenda for Fangirl.

Ranvet Stakes winner Via Sistina, dual Derby winner Riff Rocket, three-time Group 1 winner Zougotcha, class mare Atishu and recently gelded import Buckaroo complete Waller’s team as he eyes his eighth win in the race named after his former champion.

He said each has come up well and he’ll be reviewing their performances closely to aid in plotting their paths through the spring.

“Although it’s a Group 1 race it’s far from their grand final, and they’ll all run well but it will come down to luck in running and the way the race is run,’’ he said.

“If you’ve got a solid pace that’s when your Via Sistina and Riff Rocket come into it. If you’ve got a sedate pace that’s when Zougotcha will be suited and if it’s a medium to strong pace Fangirl’s going to be the one.

“All of them have come up well, they’re all individuals yet they’ve all done very similar work and everything’s been straightforward.”

WINX PREVIEW: A trio of @cwallerracing stars warm up for next Saturday's first Group 1 of the season with a gallop at Rosehill - Fangirl (@mcacajamez), Via Sistina (@KPMcEvoy) and Riff Rocket (@nashhot). @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/nohkoEtTcW

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) August 17, 2024

There’ll be plenty of attention on how Via Sistina reacts to the 1400m first-up given the Queen Elizabeth Stakes runner-up hasn’t raced at a trip that short since her debut almost three and a half years ago.

Waller is confident the decision to prepare the mare overseas prior to arriving in Australia earlier this year has helped her acclimatise for a campaign that will likely see a rematch with Pride Of Jenni at some point.

“She’s seasoning the right way, she looks like she’s coming into our spring whereas sometimes they can be having their summer now,’’ Waller said.

“We’ve got a clean slate now, I’m not trying to train her like an Australian sprinter hence the reason she’s not wound up to win at 1400m first-up but her class might surprise a few of us.

“That class is evident, we saw a glimpse of it and if she can take the normal step of the European horses to improve in their second prep we could be in for some fireworks.”

ATC Derby winner Riff Rocket faces his weight-for-age test in the Winx and Waller said he could sprint well fresh, he’s rapt with how Zougotcha has returned since her unbeaten autumn, Atishu is in good order while he said the decision to geld Buckaroo has changed his demeanour.

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Randwick meeting