Winx's half-sister Wings Of Desire lost her unbeaten record at start three when playing second fiddle to the 4-year-old Zoustar mare Makena in Wednesday's Hyland Race Colours (Bm72) (1400m) for fillies and mares at Randwick-Kensington.
Wings Of Desire reared up shortly after the gates opened and was reined back to the tail of the field by Tommy Berry. The daughter of Pride Of Dubai began to over-race when the speed slackened.
Makena was forced back to last on the turn, and James McDonald was obliged to wait to clear Wings Of Desire. Eased to the centre of the track, the Chris Waller-trained 4-year-old motored home to defeat Wings Of Desire a half-length, with the Written Tycoon mare Poppin' Champagne back in third.
It was the second win at start nine for Makena, who is regarded highly enough by the stable to start in the Listed Daybreak Lover Stakes at Eagle Farm and the Listed Bill Carter Stakes at Doomben at her third start.
"A quickfire double for the Noel Greenhalgh colours'” assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth said after Captain Maverick (IRL) won the previous race.
“A 5percent share in the horse was sold online earlier to Nick Penklis, adding to his original share.
“James admitted he may have ridden her a little too positive the other day. The speed was hot today, which allowed her to quicken up sharply.”
Another winner on the day bred by Bert Vieira, Makena was a $440,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Widden Stud draft for Chris Waller Racing/Mulcaster Bloodstock and is from stakes-winning Street Cry (IRE) mare Quayside, whose next two dams are Group II winner Quays and Group I winner Pontal Lass.
A Trapeze Artist half-sister to Makena failed to make her $80,000 at the 2024 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
