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The first Group 1 of the new racing season, the $500,000 Winx Stakes, is run at Royal Randwick this Saturday on a massive 10-race card featuring a host of star gallopers who return ahead of the Sydney Spring Carnival.

The Group 1 $500,000 Winx Stakes recognises Australian sport’s incomparable mare, who herself won the race three times (2016-18) including the third when it was formally renamed in her honour.

Two of Winx’s part-owners Peter and Patty Tighe (Magic Bloodstock) and Debbie Kepitis (Woppitt Bloodstock) continue their association with the race as sponsors in support of the Australian Turf Club and Royal Randwick – a course where Winx won a record 20 races.

Winx’s trainer Chris Waller saddles up the early TAB favourite on Saturday – Verry Elleegant ($3 to $2.90) with jockey James McDonald – as she takes on an outstanding field of 14 runners. Verry Elleegant, herself an eight-time Group 1 winner, also won last year’s Winx Stakes.

Kolding – the winner of a Golden Eagle, as well as a TAB Epsom, George Main Stakes and Schweppes All Aged Stakes amongst six wins at Royal Randwick – is a $5 TAB second favourite for trainer Waller and jockey Tim Clark.

Three more Group 1 winners in Mo’Unga $7 (trainer Annabel Neasham and jockey Tommy Berry) Think It Over ($9, Kerry Parker and Brenton Avdulla) and Cascadian ($9, James Cummings and High Bowman) add to the stellar field.

Saturday’s program has attracted 151 final acceptances and also sees the running of three other Group races – including the first leg of the prestigious Darley Princess Series, the Group 2 $200,000 Darley Silver Shadow Stakes.

The Group 3 $160,000 Mostyn Copper Show County Quality and the Group 3 $160,000 Bowermans Commercial Furniture Toy Show Quality will be run.

Click here to see Saturday’s full fields for Winx Stakes Day

Click here for TAB Markets for Winx Stakes Day

Australian Turf Club Executive General Manager Racing & Wagering, James Ross said the Group 1 Winx Stakes featured an outstanding field: “Collectively, eight of the 14 runners have already won at least one Group 1 race and in total the field has earned well over $30 million in prizemoney,” Mr Ross said.

“The Group 1 Winx Stakes is the headline event on a program featuring huge depth and quality across the program as we continue to head towards the biggest Sydney Spring Carnival in history. The Australian Turf Club also thanks and acknowledges the owners around Team Winx and their trainer Chris Waller for the ongoing support of our racing and the Winx Stakes.”

The Group 2 $200,000 Darley Silver Shadow Stakes is the first of four legs of the Darley Princess Series at Royal Randwick. Four Moves Ahead ($2.90 TAB) for trainer John Sargeant and jockey Nash Rawiller is just opening favourite from She’s All Class ($3) for Chris Waller and James McDonald.

As part of Darley’s ongoing partnership with the Australian Turf Club and the Princess Series, the winning breeder of this Saturday’s race will receive a 2021 or 2022 nomination to Darley stallion Earthlight.

Saturday’s meeting at Royal Randwick remains closed to spectators under the ongoing NSW Public Health Orders and stay at home restrictions.

The meeting will be covered live through SKY Thoroughbred Central, SKY Racing 1 and on TAB and SKY Racing Active accounts. For all racing, general and ticketing information for the upcoming Sydney Spring Carnival go to TheRaces.com.au