Trainer Considers Xtravagant Date with Winx

That's New Zealand trainer Stephen Autridge, who's got a distant connection to Australia's best horse.

There was a bit of cheek with the opening question and Autridge took it well.  Having trained Winx's dam, Vegas Showgirl, surely Autridge is partly responsible for the way the superstar mare is going?

“Six degrees of separation you think?” he asked.

“Any connection I had to her was a long time ago.  It's good for everyone concerned, it's good that we can sell mares from over here in New Zealand and they can produce champions, so I think it's great for everyone.”

Autridge trained Vegas Showgirl as a two and three-year-old in 2005 and 2006, before co-trainer Graeme Rogerson took sole responsibility of the mare and moved her to Australia.

“She was a beautiful filly, a really good looking filly, she had a bit of attitude but plenty of ability,” Autridge said.

“She was Group placed in the Stoney Bridge in 2006, and a Listed winner at Ellerslie and Avondale.

“There are a few similarities between her and Winx. Winx is the same colour as her mum that's for sure. I've only seen Winx on the TV but she looks to have a few similar mannerisms.”

Autridge and Te Akau Racing's big weapon in the spring is Xtravagant.

An elevated temperature saw the dual Group 1 winning four-year-old scratched from last Saturday's McLeod Stakes at Moonee Valley, but he's recovered well and will resume on September 10 at Flemington.

“He'll be in the Bobby Lewis (Quality),” Autridge says.

“He's then likely to go to the (Sir) Rupert Clarke (Stakes) at Caulfield and then to the Toorak Handicap. And if we're going good enough, we might consider taking Winx on in the Cox Plate.”

And there it is! The opportunity for Autridge to perhaps square the ledger, to get one back on Winx, having watched her reached heights her mother could not get to.

“I'd lose a few friends over here I'd think,” he said with the laugh.

Only time will tell. That ‘six degrees of separation' might just narrow come October 22.