Winx trainer takes stunning swipe at 'd***head' commentator

Chris Waller has hit out at an English racing commentator over his criticism of Winx.

Matt Chapman caused a bit of a stir recently when he suggested Winx wasn’t up to the standard of a number of horses in the UK.

Chapman reckons Winx hasn’t come up against any decent opposition and therefore can’t be classed among the best horses in the world.

“Back home we feel Winx is beating fairly moderate horses,” Chapman said.

“Slightly, this was proved in the (Caulfield Cup) result with Best Solution, when all the horses Winx had been beaten were ‘stuffed’ out of sight, although it was a completely different type of race.

“The only link we kind of have to Winx is Highland Reel and everyone will say ‘Oh Winx beat Highland Reel’.

“But you have to remember, when she beat Highland Reel he was a very young horse, he had hardly done anything at that stage.”

Waller has clearly taken exception to those comments and hit back on Wednesday.

“I was very very surprised and disappointed,” Waller said on SEN Radio.

“I think he is a bit of a d***head for saying it to be honest.”

Winx in perfect shape for fourth Cox Plate

Waller says it will take a champion or bad luck to beat Winx when she lines up for an historic fourth successive win in the weight-for-age race at Moonee Valley.

Waller and jockey Hugh Bowman were pleased with Winx’s work-out at the Breakfast with the Best at Moonee Valley in front of a large early morning Tuesday crowd.

The mare trotted up the straight before cantering off from the winning post, gradually increasing her speed from the 1200m before Bowman slipped her more rein over the final 400m, clocking 24.39 secs.

“Hugh just let her use herself around the bend, making sure everything was right,” Waller said.

“Just as you would with a race-car before a big race, making sure everything is in order.

“The accelerator was there and the brakes were working this morning,.

“There was a bit of smoke coming out of Hughie.”

Waller said the mare’s preparation had gone smoothly and only two things can beat her.

“That’s bad luck or a champion,” Waller said.

“The next champion could be there waiting in the wings and be ready to pounce.

“So long as there’s not too many traffic problems because in most sport you need the bounce of the ball to go your way.

“Fortunately her class gets her out of most situations, but you can’t take it for granted.”

with AAP