Winx on her penultimate run at Longines Golden Slipper

Jockey Hugh Bowman rides Winx (left) during the Winx Stakes horse race at the Royal Randwick race course in Sydney on August 18, 2018. PHOTO | BOB BARKER | AFP

By  Deja Vu

What you need to know:

  • The G1 George Ryder Stakes will compete for the spotlight when Winx pursues more stardom in her penultimate competition.

  • With seven starters in the field, including two of the top three, Godolphin stands on the doorstep of a first Golden Slipper win.

Australia's top two-year-old horses meet at Rosehill Gardens on Friday night for Longines Golden Slipper and the AU$3.5 million G1 Golden Slipper Stakes - World's richest for age group.

The G1 George Ryder Stakes will compete for the spotlight when Winx pursues more stardom in her penultimate competition.

Final showdown, could put her against The Autumn. With all the best on parade, this shapes up as quite the most absorbing event ever.

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EXCITEMENT

Fans can begin their excitement at 12:30 pm Sydney time, with the AU$3.5 million (US$2.4 million) Golden Slipper Stakes taking centre stage at 4.30 pm. Cosmic Force is the one they have to beat. He will continue his newfound rivalry with Microphone, Tenley, Lyre, Exhilarates, Pin Sec, Kiamichi, and, Bivouac.

READ: Winx displays her best at Royal Randwick race

With seven starters in the field, including two of the top three, Godolphin stands on the doorstep of a first Golden Slipper win. The powerhouse's runners have been making their mark in juvenile ranks, counting the G2 Reisling Stakes (Tenley), G3 Black Opal Stakes (Pin Sec), G2 VRC Sires Produce Stakes (La Tene), and the Gold Coast Magic Millions Classic (Exhilarates), among their recent wins.

FAVOURITE

Early favourite, Yes Yes Yes, drifted, after being drawn in a poorly 19th stall.

Undoubtedly the world's best horse, Winx, holder of four Cox Plate titles and an undefeated record of 31 straight wins – is scheduled to write another chapter of her autobiography, when she defends the George Ryder crown for an unprecedented fourth time. Everyone will be sad when Winx pulls down the curtains.

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