Horse Racing Tips for the Winx Stakes 2025

There couldn’t be a bigger way to launch the new Group 1 season.

Saturday’s Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick has it all.

On one side, we have a weight-for-age field stacked with Group 1 winners, the highest-rated stablemate duo in history returning, and a hot favourite attempting to become the first eight-year-old in 80 years to claim a Group 1.

Adding further intrigue, that favourite is one of several runners trained by a man who has nearly half the field engaged.

On the other hand, the track is already rated a Heavy 10 and could be approaching bottomless by the time they jump.

In conditions like this, race-day patterns and tactics will be pivotal, particularly with short-priced favourite Via Sistina drawn on the fence.

You can get my full set of tips for racing this Saturday via the link below.

 

 

Winx Stakes 2025 Horse Racing Tips and Best Bets

Track Conditions

A Heavy 10 surface leading into Saturday isn’t improving, with more rain expected right up until jump time.

The rail is in the True position, but the critical factor will be how much rain falls on race day and how the track wears through the earlier seven races.

 

Who do the All-In boys like in the feature Winx Stakes?

 

Speed Map

Expect Gringotts, resuming off two sharp trials, to roll across from outside and camp just behind a moderate speed.

That tempo is likely to be set by bold frontrunner Lindermann, who resumes from a wide draw.

Longshot Light Infantry Man, also first-up off two trials, will push forward along with Robusto and War Eternal, both deep into their campaigns.

That leaves Via Sistina buried inside midfield, while stablemates Aeliana and Fangirl are expected to settle further back.

Returning Ceowulf naturally drops out to the tail.

 

The Favourite

Trainer Chris Waller reports that Via Sistina is in great shape, and her recent heavy-track trial was strong.

However, the early quote of around $2.45 looks serious unders.

Yes, she handles all conditions, but her class edge is blunted in a bog, especially if the inside is inferior ground.

As brilliant as she is, I’d want closer to $3.80–$4.00 to play, given she risks being anchored in a race that could turn into a sit-and-sprint from the 600m.

 

 

Neil’s Best Bet

Track pattern will be everything, but six-year-old Gringotts ($5.50) is perfectly placed resuming and shapes as the value runner.

He’s trialled impressively, comes to hand quickly, and while he hasn’t raced on ground this heavy, he’s won three from four on soft tracks and has always hinted the wetter the better.

Drawn to slide forward and stay off the fence, he looks primed to strike fresh.

 

The Dangers

Via Sistina is the obvious danger and must be respected, but the conditions may bring her undone and she could just need the run first-up.

Ceowulf is another who cannot be dismissed, and while he will settle near the tail, his proven ability to plough through very wet ground means he will be charging late and reminding everyone he’s the superior mudlark.

Stablemate Aeliana is bred to relish heavy ground and looks capable of running a big race fresh.

Fangirl, although a high-class mare with an excellent first-up record, faces a real test given she has never placed in five attempts on heavy going.

 

Neil’s Top Five

1. Gringotts

2. Via Sistina

3. Ceowulf

4. Aeliana

5. Fangirl

 

For thousands more tips including free selections for today's racing, head to Australia's best racing tips market at thegreattipoff.com.