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The Group 1 $1 million Winx Stakes run in honour of Australia’s immortal racehorse headlines a huge day of Group racing at Royal Randwick this Saturday before the official start of spring’s Sydney Everest Carnival.

A field of 16 and three emergencies have accepted for the 100th running of the Winx Stakes, which this year increases in prizemoney as part of all Group races in NSW rising to new minimum levels across the season.

Saturday’s meeting features four other Group races including the first leg of the Darley Princess Series for three-year-old fillies the Group 2 $300,000 Darley Silver Shadow Stakes.

Champion mare Winx (Hugh Bowman) returns after scoring one of her many wins at Royal Randwick. Image by Steve Hart Photographics

Australian Turf Club Head Of Racing and Wagering, James Ross said the $1m Winx Stakes had attracted a stellar field.

“The 19 acceptors includes 14 previous Group 1 winners and combined, the field has won more than $45 million in prizemoney," Mr Ross said.

“The 100th renewal of the race and with prizemoney increasing to $1 million makes the Winx Stakes a significant start to several months of world-class racing and just ahead of the Sydney Everest Carnival."

Trainer Chris Waller is looking to celebrate a special milestone in the $1m Winx Stakes with Sydney’s 13-time premiership-winning trainer sitting on 149 Group 1 career victories.

Waller trained Winx for her unmatched career which included three victories (2016, 2017 and 2018) in this race named in her honour. Waller has entered eight runners.

One of Australia’s best and most popular racehorses Zaaki ($4.60-$4 TAB) has been backed into favourtism for trainer Annabel Neasham and superstar jockey Jamie Kah.

Zaaki returns from a spell have won four and being placed four other times first-up, and with a strong record over the Royal Randwick 1400m.

Fangirl for trainer Waller and the world’s highest rated jockey James McDonald ($4.80-$4.40) is looking to go one better from last year’s Winx Stakes second to champion Anamoe.

The Winx Stakes also sees the return of 2022 Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Think It Over ($11-$10) for trainer Kerry Parker and jockey Nash Rawiller and the 2021 Winx Stakes victor in Mo’unga ($8-$11) for Annabel Neasham and Sam Clipperton.

The regular rider of Winx throughout her career including in 25 Group 1 wins – Hugh Bowman – returns to Sydney on another Waller runner in Lindermann ($12-$14).

Four other Group races the Group 2 $300,000 Darley Silver Shadow Stakes, Group 3 $250,000 Laurel Oak Toy Show Quality, Group 3 $250,000 MostynCopper Show County Quality and Group 3 $250,000 James Squire Premier’s Cup are part of a 10-race card.

Kristilli for Annabel Neasham and James McDonald has been strongly backed into early favourtism ($6-$4.40) in the Group 2 $300,000 Darley Silver Shadow Stakes ahead of the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Platinum Jubilee ($4.40-$5) for Tim Clark.

Jamie Kah rides second favourite Estriella ($4.60-$4.80) for powerhouse trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.

Last year’s Darley Silver Shadow Stakes winner Zougotcha (Waller and McDonald) is fighting for favourtism ($4.60-$3.80) in the Laurel Oak Toy Show Quality with the Godolphin/James Cummings runner Parisal ($3.60-$3.70) with jockey Jean Van Overmeire.

Full fields for all races this Saturday at Royal Randwick are available HERE and full TAB markets for all races can be found HERE

Punters Packs which include general admission entry, a food and beverage voucher and a racebook for this Saturday are available at theraces.com.au.

Early Bird ticket offers for the Sydney Everest Carnival including larger discounts for group bookings and a bonus $200 food and beverage voucher are also available at theraces.com.au.