Winx’s work ‘perfect’

Winx (Street Cry {Ire}) sailed through an exhibition gallop at Randwick ahead of her farewell appearance in the G1 Queen Elizabeth S.

Hugh Bowman worked the mare over 1000 metres and she went to the line under her own steam, clocking 34.67 seconds for her final 600 metres.

"We're just making sure the horse is staying the same and staying safe, not letting her get away on us with three weeks between runs," trainer Chris Waller said.

The champion mare and winner of 36 of her 42 starts, the past 32 in succession, will make her final start at Randwick next Saturday.

Time called on Trapeze Artist

A shoulder injury suffered in his G1 TJ Smith S. title defence at Randwick has forced the retirement of the four-time Group 1 winner Trapeze Artist (Snitzel).

The four-year-old came out of the race with a large haematoma after finishing seventh and trainer Gerald Ryan said owner Bert Vieira had immediately made the call.

Widden Stud will stand Trapeze Artist on behalf of Vieira in the upcoming breeding season.

"That's it," Ryan said. "Bert said enough is enough. I'd say he's torn a muscle and it's haemorrhaged.

"He's been such a wonderful horse to all of us and I look forward to his first son or daughter to walk into my stables."

Trapeze Artist retires with seven wins, including Group 1 successes in the Golden Rose S, last year's TJ Smith S., the All Aged S. and last month's Canterbury S. He earned more than $5.5 million.

Filly proves trainer correct

Kris Lees has always believed Aliferous (Hinchinbrook) would stay and she proved him right with an upset victory in the G3 TAB Adrian Knox S.

“We thought she’d run a trip and she got a genuine enough tempo for her to let down late,” the Newcastle trainer said.

Aliferous was in the back division of the field on the turn and finished strongly along the inside for the third win of her career.

“Obviously, she was up in grade and we drew wide so I rode her cold,” jockey Brenton Avdulla said.

“She handled the ground well and got the run through to be strong late.”

Cup tilt confirmed

Gallic Chieftain (Fr) (Tamayuz {GB}) has earned a crack at the G1 Sydney Cup following success in the G2 Schweppes Chairman's H.

"Coming up here I was really confident. We've brought horses up here before and it's hard travelling them,” trainer Archie Alexander said.

"Some horses just don't settle, but this horse has done really well.

"We came up here just for this race, but with the Sydney Cup in the back of our mind obviously.

"We probably can't go back home now so we will keep him here, keep him nice and fresh for a week, and tackle the big one.

Colt strike in Carbine

Ringerdingding (Sebring) defied his topweight to return to winning ways in the G3 Carbine Club S.

The Chris Waller-trained colt was denied room early in the run home, but once clear he hit the line strongly to claim the Cactus Imaging-sponsored age group feature.

“He’s a very good horse, his Melbourne form suggested that,” rider James McDonald said. “He’s done a great job with 59kg on a testing track.”

Ringerdingding won the G2 Sandown Guineas and the Listed Springtime S. during his last preparation.

Grand Godolphin day

Multaja (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) completed a memorable first day of The Championships for Godolphin when the James Cummings-trained filly claimed the Official Memorabilia G3 PJ Bell S.

She followed the earlier winning leads of stablemates Microphone (Exceed And Excel) in the G1 Inglis Sires’ Produce S. and Bivouac in the G3 Widden Stud Kindergarten S.

Ridden by Craig Williams, Multaja closed out the day in style with the fifth win of her 10-start career at the expense of John Thompson’s Into The Abyss (Foxwedge) and the Chris Waller-trained So Taken (Street Boss {USA}).

Noble victory for 4-year-old

Noble Boy (Bon Hoffa) furthered his near impeccable record when he romped home in the Newhaven Park Country Championships Final.

Trained by Todd Blowes, the strapping chestnut 4-year-old has won six of his seven starts.

“He loves the cut in the ground and this horse has got a lot of class,” rider Hugh Bowman said.

He has no doubt that Noble Boy can progress to a far higher level and, being a country boy at heart, was delighted to win the race.

“There’s better things in store for him. I’m delighted for Todd Blowes and the owners – this is the Melbourne Cup for the country horses,” he said.

Queensland on radar

A potential trip to the Queensland Winter Carnival is on the cards for promising 3-year-old Riding The Wave (Malibu Moon {USA}) after he produced a stunning display at Te Aroha.

He enjoyed a cosy trip in transit before cruising into contention for rider Leith Innes 300 metres from home and coasted clear.

“He’s a serious horse,” Tiley said. “He just did a few things wrong with his first couple of starts so we gave him a break and started again with him.

“We changed a bit of gear with him as well and he’s the real deal I think.”

“We discussed Queensland and I said if he won we are going to have to consider it,” Tiley said.

“I’ll have a chat to Leith, as I know Leith has a big rap on him, so I would think he will be on the plane.”