WARRNAMBOOL-trained gallopers Gailo Chop and Humidor are going along for the ride when they tackle champion mare Winx in the $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick on Saturday, according to Jarrod McLean.
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McLean, who is the Warrnambool foreman for top trainer Darren Weir, said Gailo Chop and Humidor were place hopes against Winx as she attempts to win her 25th consecutive race.
Humidor was ranked a hot chance by Winx’s jockey Hugh Bowman as were Doncaster winner Happy Clapper and Japanese import Ambitious.
“I’m like everyone else – I rate Winx as a freak,” McLean said.
“For racing’s sake I would love to see her win 25 in a row but I would like to think Gailo Chop and Humidor will be competitive.
“I would say at one stage in the 2000-metre race Gailo Chop will be in front of Winx and Humidor will be behind her but I suppose Winx will be in front of all her rivals at the end.”
It is three years since Winx last tasted defeat in the Australian Oaks.
McLean said Gailo Chop and Humidor had settled in well to their new training environment at Newcastle before the big group one clash with the wonder mare.
Ciaron Maher’s group one-winning mare Aloisia tackles 12 rivals in the $1.1 million Australian Oaks at Randwick while he accepted with Lady Esprit, Star Fell, Fox Swift, Zedda and Naantall at Caulfield.
Weir’s Warrnambool stable has Handsome Thief, Railmartini and Iconoclasm running at the meeting.
Warrnambool trainers Geoff Withers, Matthew Williams and former Crossley trainer Mitch Freedman have runners on the strong nine-race program.
The Queen Elizabeth Stakes will jump at 3.05pm.
