Probably Winx is the best horse to take the Epsom at Royal Randwick but does the champion mare hold the title of being the principal winner?
Until recently Super Impose, rated Australia’s greatest miler, took that accolade but a review of their successes casts doubt.
The Epsom goes back to 1865 and my opinion only encompasses the greats I’ve seen which eliminates the likes of Chatham and Shannon but turf historians rated Super Impose superior.
Perhaps today’s chapter of the Group one sprint will not challenge the tops but as usual it’s an intriguing handicap, launched from Australia’s fairest start over 1600 metres with Chris Waller, trainer who moulded Winx, holding a strong hand. Sorting out the best of them is the conundrum.
Scoring in the 1991 Epsom, Super Impose, one of his four major Randwick metric miles with another Epsom and two Doncasters, made light of 61kg and the recollection still produces the buzz of satisfaction.
“The reception beat anything they ever gave Bernborough,” Brian Killian, the Australian Jockey Club deputy chief stipe, and former leading apprentice Brian Killian, commented regarding the reception given to Super Impose after the triumph.
Being compared to Phar Lap, Bernborough in the 1940’s had rockstar appeal attracting thousands to the Randwick mosh pit.
By 1991 racecourse crowds were dwindling but the 20,000 hummed for Super Impose like 50,000, not only for a brilliant performance but great skill by Darren Beadman, weaving through the opposition when the slightest bump was going to mean defeat.
On paper I could not compare the Epsom success of Winx in 2015 with Super Impose in 91. After all she only accounted for Ecuador and Sons Of John. With 57kg the mare was only conceding them a kilo.
Unfortunately, on the day, I was down south for Turnbull Stakes at Flemington, a major leadup for the Melbourne Cup which then had far more prominence than currently.
Considering the comparison, another replay of Winx in the Epsom was necessary. According to jockey Hugh Bowman she was “stood on her head at the 450 metres” about which Waller later admitting to “closing my eyes”.
Thus evolved into what Andrew Rule in his magnificent tome, “Winx”, described as “elbow gate” where Bowman and rival Blake Shinn were involved on horseback in “a scrimmage that would flatten an All-Black.”
During the drama Bowman’s elbow connected with Shinn on Kirramosa as he whipped past on the turn. Shinn later told stewards he didn’t feel the elbow but Rule reckons “the film of the race suggested the contact must have given him magnesia.”
On the Racing NSW replay Sky Channel’s Greg Radley can be over heard commenting, Shinn “beat him to the punch.”
However, the manner Winx performed, regardless of what she left in her wake and how she achieved it, screamed CHAMPION, a title not from what is done on paper but that personal feeling that extends beyond greatness. Maybe I would have come to that conclusion sooner about Winx had I seen the 1991 Epsom.
Again Waller has a strong hand today with seven acceptors and only Molly Bloom, a New Zealander, could be described as not being near or at their best. No mean feat getting them ready for a Group one assignment.
My Epson short list is Kovalica, Ceolwulf, Tom Kitten and Major Beel. While barrier positions don’t play a major role in what seems such an even race the ride will prove vital.
Ceolwulf is the most promising but I don’t know where he will be placed on the map from the 14 gate, Major Beel, though, with the Tulloch Lodge get up and go will be out of harms way, a query I have about stablemate Royal Patronage (17), who began tardy last start. Coming from 19 must be a query for Godolphin’s Tom Killen, too. But his last start was smitten with misfortune. Darren Beadman, a member of Godolphin team, no doubt will give Tom Berry advice on the right steer for Tom Kitten. Beadman won the 1994 Epsom on Navy Seal from 19.
Still I’m going for Kovalica with James McDonald because from the rails jump he is most likely to get the right passage. Kovalica was second in the Epsom last year, not a flash chapter, but he is better and more seasoned now. First start in the Tramway recently had “next time written all over it”.
Yes, the era of magnificence in the Epsom like Winx and Super Impose has past. Champions can get it easier and more lucrative in weight-for-age events than handicaps. Promotions like The Everest are fashionable. Hopefully they provide the same memories.
