Winx responds when tested to win Chelmsford Stakes

Winx is testing the mettle of her backers as her historic winning streak continues.

In Saturday’s Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Australia, Winx closed from sixth in the one-mile turf race to catch the runaway leader, Red Excitement, in the final 50 yards and win by a length.

The outcome was in doubt in early stretch when Red Excitement led by about six lengths, but the 6-year-old mare responded brilliantly under jockey Hugh Bowman to win her 19th consecutive race and her second race after a three-month rest during the Australian winter.

On Aug. 19, Winx won the Group 2 Warwick Stakes at Randwick by a head after a poor start, her first start since May.

Trained by Chris Waller, Winx was the 1-11 favorite in the $197,475 Chelmsford Stakes against males. Red Excitement, a 25-1 shot, was fourth behind Winx in the Warwick Stakes. He won a Group 3 stakes in 2016. Chocante, an 80-1 shot, finished third in the field of 12 on Saturday. He was a Group 2 winner in June.

Winx is scheduled to run in the Group 1 George Main Stakes at a mile on turf at Randwick on Sept. 16.

Winx, considered the world’s highest-rated turf runner, has won six races this year. Her main goal this fall 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.