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If there was any question about whether the three-year-olds would transition to open company the result of the Winx Stakes (1400m) provided an early answer to that question on Saturday.

The first six across the line in the opening Group 1 of the season are four-year-olds and that bodes well for the future especially given three of the first four home are entires.

All honours to Anamoe who showed his class with his runaway win and, sectionally, Punter’s Intelligence data would say it was quite a comprehensive victory. He’s posted the second fastest last 600m of the race in 33.82.

Given he third on the fence at the 600m it would have taken an amazing performance from something out the back to run him down. And his last 200m of 11.42 was only 0.06 outside the race (and meeting) best.

All that said the run of Fangirl was outstanding to arrive in second place given the race was run at only a fair tempo. She’s clocked the fastest last 600m of the race in 33.64 and second fastest last 200m of 11.39.

The extra merit comes in looking at the early tempo. The first 600m of the Winx was run in 37.79 and while there were no other 1400m races on the day that time was one second slower (or six lengths) than the first 600m in the Midway over a mile and just a tick slower than the Benchmark race over a mile won by Niffler.

So it’s no surprise there were some pretty slick closing sectionals.

You have to give Profondo a nod for his first-up effort after facing the breeze three wide and while he didn’t cover significantly more ground than the rest of the field (every runner covered at least an extra 6m) he did run 10.97 from the 400m-200m before knocking up late.

It might come as a surprise that the fastest last 200m of the Winx Stakes, and the entire Randwick meeting, was run by the stayer Stockman (11.36) who finished ninth.

He also ran the fourth fastest last 600m in the race (34.02) and it’s worth noting he was ridden well past the line.

It’ll be interesting to see what happens should there be a return bout between Zapateo and Jamaea after running one-two in the Toy Show Quality (1100m) as both mares have clearly come up well.

Jamaea posted the meeting’s fastest last 600m of 33.44 as she charged into second place, with her 400m-200m clearly a race best in 10.67. Ultimately, she probably found the 1100m a bit sharp as her last 200m of 11.51 was comfortably bettered by the winner who clocked 11.39.

The sneaky good run of the race came from More Prophets who finished eighth but ran 33.59 for her last 600m after giving away a big start. She also ran the second fastest last 200m in 11.49 so it’s a promising return and look for her once she gets to 1400m.

Showmanship displayed the talent he was known for in WA with a stunning first-up win in the Show County Quality (1200m) with a last 600m of 33.82 but the real eye-catcher came from third placed Rocketing By.

He was last on the turn but smashed the clock with a 33.58 for his last 600m and 11.41 for his last 200m. He is a noted backmarker but if the tracks can stay soft or better this was a pleasing return to form from him.

The Group 2 Darley Silver Shadow Stakes posted the slowest overall time of the three 1200m races on the day and it was also clearly the slowest run early in the respective races so it’ll be interesting to see how the form holds up when the Furious Stakes comes up in two weeks.

The winner Zougotcha and runner-up In Secret ran an identical final 600m of 34.17.

Clearly the run of the race came from ex-Kiwi filly Wolverine who settled near last behind the average tempo before working home strongly into sixth running easily the race’s best last 600m of 33.98, and the race’s best 400m-200m of 10.92.

Pending a kinder barrier draw you’d expect if she contests the Furious she might still find it a bit sharp but if she performs similarly or better then the Tea Rose (1400m) and Flight Stakes (1600m) should suit her perfectly.

Fastest last 600m: Jamaea 33.44

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