There's been few stories in Australian sport as big as Winx's farewell run during recent times.
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But when the mighty mare steps out on to the Randwick track on Saturday, jockey Hugh Bowman will be doing all he can to forget the momentous occasion.
It's been four years since Winx changed from being a good filly in Sydney who struggled to beat First Seal and who ran second to Gust Of Wind in the Australian Oaks at the corresponding meeting in 2015.
She went to Queensland and won the Sunshine Coast Guineas and then the Queensland Oaks to claim a Group One win.
She now has another 23 and only bad luck can stop her ending her career at the highest level.
Bowman, Dunedoo's favourite sporting son, will be in the saddle on Saturday when Winx contests Queen Elizabeth Stakes and what is expected to be the final race of her champion career.
"I don't want the occasion to get my thoughts away from the job I've got to do to allow Winx to do what she has to do," Bowman said earlier in the week.
It's been a whirlwind few days for Bowman.
As well as getting through trackwork sessions with Winx, the champion jockey has had a host of media events to attend and was also on hand for the unveiling of a mural portraying himself and the Chris Waller-trained mare at Wynyard Park.
There's been plenty of distractions but when Bowman and Waller have been at the track in the lead-up to Saturday's race it's been all business.
And aside from a scary moment where Winx got uncharacteristically edgy and kicked a sign during trackwork on Thursday morning, it's all been hugely positive.
"I can honestly say that I feel that she's as well going into this Saturday as she's been ever in that four years," Bowman said.
"I'm looking forward to the weekend. Having the English horse in the race will make it a true test."
The English horse is He's Eminent who is expected to be the race leader based on his performance when second to Avilius in the Tancred Stakes.
He is trained by New Zealand's most famous equestrian, dual Olympic gold medallist Sir Mark Todd who is also a Group One-winning trainer.
While much of the focus has been on Winx's future, Saturday gives her the chance to win the Queen Elizabeth Stakes on three consecutive occasions.
"As long as we win I don't care how far we win by," Bowman said.
A sellout crowd of more than 40,000 spectators is expected to be on hand for Saturday's meeting at Randwick, which is day two of The Championships.
The Queen Elizabeth Stakes is the seventh race on the card on Saturday and jumps at 3.05pm.
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Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
