Winx extends winning streak to 20 in Colgate Optic White Stakes

This time, there was less drama.

Winx, the reigning Australian Horse of the Year, won her 20th consecutive race in Saturday’s Group 1 Colgate Optic White Stakes at a mile on turf at Royal Randwick Racecourse outside of Sydney.

Unlike her win in the Group 2 Warwick Stakes on Aug. 19, when she missed the break and rallied to win by a head, or her win in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes on Sept. 2, when she caught runaway leader Red Excitement in the final 50 yards, Winx had a more conventional trip in the $399,000 race, which is more commonly known as the George Main Stakes.

Under regular rider Hugh Bowman, Winx (the 2-17 favorite) closed from seventh in a field of eight in the final quarter-mile to take the lead in the final furlong and win by 1 1/2 lengths over 14-1 Happy Clapper.

Trained by Chris Waller, Winx has won 24 of 30 starts in her career. A 6-year-old mare by Street Cry, Winx began her winning streak in May 2015.

Winx, considered the world’s highest-rated turf runner, has won six races this year. The main goal this fall for Winx is a third consecutive win in the Group 1 Cox Plate at about 1 1/4 miles on turf at Moonee Valley Racecourse on Oct. 28. The Cox Plate is Australia’s top weight-for-age race.

Waller indicated that Winx will have a prep race for the Cox Plate and said plans would be finalized in the coming days.