The breeding barn remains a long way off for grand old mare Winmara following her commanding victory at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The eight-year-old, who started the rank outsider at $18, stormed home from last on the home turn to down Gold Rating ($3.30) by 1-1/4 lengths in the www.brc.com.au Handicap (2136m).
Za Magic ($6), circled the field to take the lead on the home turn before weakening to finish the same margin away third.
Caloundra trainer Frank Phillips has never contemplated retiring the daughter of Marwina who took her record to seven wins from 82 starts.
Winmara has been a great money-spinner for Phillips who paid $10,000 for her as a yearling from Mornmouth stud near Melbourne.
Her win lifted her prizemoney tally to $237,000.
“She’s been a great old horse for me,” Phillips said.
“I’ve never thought about retiring her. She just wants to be here.
“She loves life and more importantly I’ve got her two half-sisters in the stable at home.”
Winning jockey Scott Galloway believed the decision by Eddie Wilkinson to set Za Magic alight in the back straight paved the way for Winmara’s win.
“She was a bit lucky Eddie took off when the speed wasn’t on, otherwise she wouldn’t have run a hole,” Galloway said.
“I think Frank should cut her mane as I got my whip caught up in it and lost the whip.”
Phillips was always confident with Winmara despite her being the bookies’ hope.
“She was well beaten the day she ran second to Za Magic last start but I think she just needed the run,” he said.