Racing: Winx to wear earmuffs for attempt at 19 in row

Champion thoroughbred Winx, ridden by jockey Hugh Bowman. Photo / AAP

Winx wore batgirl earmuffs as she practically flew around in a practice gallop ahead of her expected 19th-straight win in the Chelmsford Stakes at Randwick today.

The champion mare will wear earmuffs during the A$250,000 Group 2 race for the first time after she blew the start in the Warwick Stakes two weeks ago.

Trainer Chris Waller was impressed with her form during the training run and is hoping the earmuffs will dull the sound and help her relax.

"She does get playful in the gates and she has only missed a start once to that degree," Waller told reporters on Thursday.

But her unique ability to accelerate during the home stretch has both Waller and jockey Hugh Bowman impressed.

"The only time I am nervous when I am on her back is when I am in the barriers," Bowman said.

"She does have a tendency to be a little bit anxious".

One punter has placed $63,000 at $1.06 on Winx.

Jon Snow isn't viewed as a strong winning chance in today's A$1 million Gr.1 New Zealand Bloodstock Memsie Stakes (1400m), with the timing of the Caulfield race more important to the Kiwi stayer's future spring prospects.

"We didn't really want to run him first-up at a mile," co-trainer Andrew Forsman said. "We thought it would be better to get this run into him and then up to a mile second time when I think he's going to be much more competitive.

"He's probably a run behind a fair few of them as there's not many that are fresh-up into it. So he's going to need the run a bit.

"He's drawn 10 of 12 so he's going to get an awkward sort of a run, so nothing really points toward him being competitive, although we wouldn't be surprised to see him run a cheeky race."

Authentic Paddy is in top order for today's Tarzino Trophy at Hastings, according to trainer Lisa Latta.

"He went a good race in the Foxbridge Plate and he's very well in himself," the Awapuni horsewoman said. Fifth when resuming last time out in the Group Two feature at Te Rapa, Authentic Paddy is a multiple Group One placegetter and he will be ridden for the first time by Leith Innes.

- AAP, NZ Racing Desk