Group 1 racing is back! The Winx Stakes is officially the first major feature race of the season and we’ll be treated to an outstanding contest between some of the Spring Carnival’s brightest prospects at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

I’ve run the rule over the lot, and you can find my 2020 Winx Stakes tips below.

Winx Stakes – Winner

No. 4 Fierce Impact – Bet Now: $SP.00

This bloke is one of, if not my favourite horse currently going around.

He hinted at top-line talent from the first time that he stepped out in Australia, but the 2019 Spring Carnival proved to be the making of Fierce Impact, and saw him deliver trainer Matt Smith and connections two Group 1 wins.

He didn’t win during a four-start autumn preparation, but he only just missed when resuming in the Group 1 Neds C.F. Orr Stakes over 1400m, and he continued to return high-quality performances in the wake, including a third-placing in the Chipping Norton and fourth in the All-Star Mile.

He’s had the benefit of a couple of nice trials in the lead-up to this, and he is drawn a peach in barrier 4.

Winx Stakes – 2nd

No. 16 Funstar – Bet Now: $SP.00

Funstar is the early favourite for the Epsom Handicap and can launch her campaign in style with a strong performance in the Winx Stakes.

Simply put, the Adelaide mare doesn’t know how to run a bad race, and she returns to action with an impressive record of five wins and three placings from just nine career starts.

She wasn’t able to add a second Group 1 win to her record in the autumn, but she did win at Group 2 level and finished second in both the Surround Stakes and the Queen Of The Turf, most notably.

She is a horse that has continued to improve with each preparation, she is drawn and weighted well, and I cannot find a reason why she won’t be fighting out the finish on Saturday.

Winx Stakes – 3rd

No. 1 Dreamforce – Bet Now: $SP.00

Dreamforce absolutely flies fresh, and a win in the 2020 Winx Stakes certainly wouldn’t surprise.

His first-up record currently reads 10:4-3-1, and he resumed in the autumn for a close-up second behind a fitter Alizee in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes at this track and distance.

It was later in the autumn that his racing career hit its peak, however, when he beat a strong field to the line in the George Ryder, claiming a well-deserved Group 1 victory.

He has raced well on a rain-affected track previously, but he will need luck after drawing barrier 16.

Winx Stakes – 4th

No. 8 Niccanova – Bet Now: $SP.00

There is a genuine case to be made for nearly every horse in the capacity Winx Stakes field, and given that many are first-up, I’m going to have a roll of the dice and include Queensland raider Niccanova in my four, who has the fitness edge.

Niccanova has been the stable star for Toowoomba-based Steve Tregea throughout his entire career, but it is fair to say that he has gone to another level this time.

He stormed home finish second in the Group 2 Victory Stakes when resuming, before only just missing in a blanket finish to the Stradbroke Handicap.

He was freshened after running second in the Eagle Farm Mile and resumed a fortnight ago for second in a photo finish over 1050m at Doomben.

This is obviously a rise in class, but conditions will suit, and I think he can run a bold race at a price.

Winx Stakes Suggested Bets