Royal Randwick will host one of its biggest moments in history this Saturday to farewell the world’s best horse Winx in her final career start in the Group 1 $4 million Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
The Championships Day 2 - Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes Day - is a sold-out event as trainer Chris Waller and jockey Hugh Bowman saddle up Winx for her 43rd start, and as she aims for a remarkable 33rd consecutive victory.
If Winx wins the Group 1 $4 million Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes it will be the 37th win of her career and take her prizemoney to more than $26.3 million. Winx is a $1.06 TAB fixed odds favourite.
Australian Turf Club has planned a series of special events and surprises on course to celebrate Winx’s farewell ahead of a record crowd that will surpass last year’s remarkable TAB The Everest Day of 40,512 racegoers.
A range of new food options and pop-up bars have been spread across the course to cater for the sold-out event, including the purpose-built TAB Bet Barn on the Leger Lawn adjacent to The Mews food precinct.
General admission customers are admitted free to the two-storey TAB Bet Barn, with all general admission gates opening at 10am ahead of Race 1 timed to jump at 11.25am.
Travel to and from Royal Randwick on all NSW Transport services is included in general admission tickets and for Australian Turf Club Members and Members guest passes.
Free Winx flags, Winx photo walls, and Winx themed cookies and lollies will be some of the treats on offer for racegoers on course as the world counts down to the Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Race 7 at 3.05pm.
Royal Randwick will be covered in a sea of Winx blue with racegoers encouraged to include a touch of blue to raceday outfits.
Australian Turf Club Chief Executive, Jamie Barkley, said Saturday’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Sydney’s world-famous Royal Randwick would be watched around the globe.
“Sydney racing has not seen an event like this in many decades and we are thrilled to have a sold-out raceday to celebrate the farewell of the remarkable Winx,” Mr Barkley said.
“We encourage everyone to arrive at Royal Randwick early on Saturday and take up vantage points to witness all of the Group 1 racing and extra entertainment we have lined up for this special day.”
The Group 1 $4 million Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes is one of four Group 1 races on another bumper 10-race card, which includes the Group 1 $2 million Schweppes Sydney Cup, Group 1 $1 million Heineken 3 Australian Oaks and Group 1 $1 million Coolmore Legacy Stakes.
The Group 1 $2 million Schweppes Sydney Cup has attracted a capacity 20-horse field over the two-mile journey, headed in TAB markets by the Godolphin owned and Charlie Appleby trained UK galloper Dubhe at $3.40.
Chris Waller and top jockey James McDonald combine with the filly Verry Elleegant, who is a hot $1.60 favourite in the Group 1 $1 million Heineken 3 Australian Oaks.
Chris Waller has trained 98 Group 1 winners in his career and is chasing the century mark on Saturday with Verry Elleegant and Winx.
In the Group 1 $1 million Coolmore Legacy Stakes, Godolphin’s Alizee for jockey Hugh Bowman and trainer James Cummings is the $5 favourite in a wide-open betting field of 19 runners.
The $600,000 Polytrack Provincial Championships Final features another wide-open betting race, headed in TAB markets by Archedemus ($4.20), and trained by Harrolds Australian Derby-winning trainer Gwenda Markwell.
The Royal Randwick track was rated a soft 5 on Thursday afternoon. Limited free raceday parking is available in the Royal Randwick infield, entry via High Street. Additional parking will be available at Moore Park (EP3) on the corner of Lang Road and Driver Avenue.
Raceday tickets included free parking in this area and shuttle buses to and from Royal Randwick. For all racing and general information visit theraces.com.au