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The first Group 1 of the 2025/26 Sydney racing year run in honour of the immortal mare Winx has brought together many of Australia’s best horses at Royal Randwick on Saturday ahead of another blockbuster Spring.

One of the world’s highest-rated horses in Via Sistina is the early $2.80 TAB favourite in the Group 1 $1 million Winx Stakes as the superstar mare looks to go back-to-back in the race for champion trainer and jockey combination Chris Waller and James McDonald.

Chris Waller – who has won the race eight times including three victories with Winx – has four other runners on Saturday.

Saturday’s 10-race card includes four other Group races including the first leg of the Princess series – the Group 2 $300,000 Sintoro Silver Shadow Stakes.

Australian Turf Club Head of Racing and Wagering Nevesh Ramdhani said Saturday was the first of 12 consecutive Saturdays of Group racing at Royal Randwick and Rosehill Gardens.

“The Group 1 $1 million Winx Stakes has established itself as a pivotal starting point for many of Australia’s best horses heading into Spring,’’ Mr Ramdhani said.

Last year's Winx Stakes winner Via Sistina (Pic: Bradley Photos).

“Saturday’s field includes nine individual Group 1 winners who between them have won a total of 24 Group 1 races and combined prizemoney of just on $50 million.

“The Group 2 $300,000 Sintoro Silver Shadow Stakes is the first of four legs of the Princess Series and is also a crucial Spring campaign beginning for the three-year-old fillies.

“Three other Group 3 races makes Saturday a tantalising start to three months of world-class racing as Sydney heads toward pinnacle events in the Group 1 $20 million TAB Everest and $10 million Golden Eagle.’’

Saturday’s 10-race card begins at 11.40am with the last race due to jump at 5.05pm.

Via Sistina’s stablemate Fangirl is at $6 with TAB to repeat a 2023 Winx Stakes success while Gringotts trained by Ciaron Maher and ridden by Tommy Berry is at $4.60-$5 TAB to win a second career Group 1 for that combination.

In the Group 2 $300,000 Sintoro Silver Shadow Stakes, the unbeaten Agarwood for trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott and with Tim Clark to ride opens a $2.30-$2.50 TAB favourite.

Bjorn Baker’s top filly Within The Law and jockey Jason Collett is $3.60-$3.80 second TAB Fixed Odds favourite followed by Savvy Hallie.

Three other Group 3 races feature on Saturday – the $250,000 Hyland Race Colours Show County Quality, $250,000 Darley Toy Show Quality and $250,000 The Agency Real Estate Premier’s Cup.

The popular Winter Long Lunch package in the Chairman’s Club at Royal Randwick enters its final weeks, with full offers and details here.

For all racing, hospitality, general and full ticketing information for Saturday and upcoming racedays across the Sydney Everest Carnival visit theraces.com.au.