Robusto may not be the most decorated runner in the Winx Stakes, but his fitness could prove decisive on a testing Randwick track.

Trainer Bjorn Baker has set the gelding to peak for Saturday’s Group 1, where he faces star rivals Via Sistina, Fangirl and Ceolwulf, who are all resuming. Nine of the 12 runners are already Group 1 winners, but jockey Josh Parr believes Robusto can bridge the gap.

“He obviously doesn’t have the status of some of his opposition but in a race where fitness is going to be very important, that brings him into it,” Parr said.

Winner of The Ingham (1600m) last summer, Robusto has remained consistent, placing in the Winter Stakes (1400m) before taking out the Winter Challenge (1500m).

Baker has history in this race, famously upsetting with Samadoubt in 2019, and also saddles War Eternal and Sydney Cup winner Arapaho.

Parr will also ride Glad You Think So later in the day, confident the five-year-old’s liking for wet ground will keep him competitive.