Racing Confidential: Controversy behind Winx, Black Caviar ‘Legend' gong for Australian Racing Hall of Fame
The decision to elevate mighty mares Black Caviar and Winx to 'Legend' status in the Hall of Fame didn't meet with universal approval.
There was some criticism of both champions being given the rare honour at the same time and it also prompted debate why other greats like Tulloch, Kingston Town and Bernborough haven't been given a similar acknowledgment.
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The Hall of Fame selection committee (of which this writer is a member) had a robust debate about the issue before it was determined Black Caviar and Winx should be elevated to 'Legend' in the Hall of Fame, and there was no reason why both could not be given the honour at the same time.
Some of the criticism has been that the judges were swayed by a 'recency bias' but alternatively there is also a widespread acceptance that both Black Caviar and Winx richly deserve 'Legend' status.
They join Phar Lap, Carbine and Makybe Diva as the only horses to be given the honour.
This decision has certainly created some controversy but also an unexpected bonus – it has brought more attention and media coverage than usual to the Hall of Fame-Horse of the Year Awards ceremony in Brisbane on August 31.
BLACK CAVIAR, WINX ELEVATED TO LEGEND STATUS TOGETHER
The two mighty mares will later this year join Carbine, Phar Lap and Makybe Diva as the only horses afforded Legend status in the Australian Racing Hall of Fame. Story: @RayThomas_1 ðŸ'‡ https://t.co/Vm67wVocnv
— Racenet (@RacenetTweets) June 23, 2025
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Joseph hoists flag for midweek Highways
Barbara Joseph, who is an institution in NSW racing, contacted Racing Confidential in support of an item which appeared in this column last week calling for TAB Highways to be introduced to bolster Sydney midweek meetings.
'I'm in favour of midweek Highways,'' Joseph said. 'But they could also be a little different and made for horses with a benchmark rating of around 80.
'The country trainers would definitely support these races like they do with the Highways every Saturday.
'City trainers are coming to win our country Cups more often these days and I understand that so why not give the country trainers more opportunity to race for midweek prizemoney in the city?''
Joseph is a voice of reason in racing and she has earned the respect of her peers from a celebrated training career that spans 50 years and includes nearly 2000 winners including her famous 1989 Doncaster Handicap triumph with Merimbula Bay.
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A midweek meeting to remember for form analysts
That's a big win at Randwick to Raging Force, who makes it two wins in a row! ðŸ'° @TommyBerry21 @SnowdenRacing1 @aus_turf_club @Darby_Racing pic.twitter.com/uipHCNbKbr
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 25, 2025
For a late season, winter race meeting, the Kensington midweeker should prove a very strong form reference.
Each of the seven winners were dominant in their own way, none more so than the brilliant Peter Snowden-trained two-year-old Raging Force, who ran his rivals ragged to win by a big margin in fast time despite being eased down in the last 100m.
☃� Frosty Girl makes it two wins from two starts with a fantastic win at Randwick! @cwallerracing @mcacajamez @aus_turf_club pic.twitter.com/jfFkdrdpAm
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 25, 2025
Stardeel and Wollzeile also won with authority while Frosty Girl maintained her unbeaten record to finish fast and score convincingly.
Axius was impressive first-up and looks to have a future, Hasty Honey can win again while Getafix carried a big weight and monstered his rivals to win by nearly six lengths.
Getafix gets a dominant win in the last at Randwick - and it's an all-grey trifecta! 🩶
A double to @mcacajamez today ðŸ'° @JohnOSheaRacing @aus_turf_club pic.twitter.com/A9XFNAHv3I
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 25, 2025
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Champion trainer retires due to illness
Sad news out of America with legendary trainer D. Wayne Lukas forced into retirement due to ill health.
Lukas, 89, has decided against undergoing an aggressive treatment plan in hospital to return home to his family.
Lukas, who was inducted into the US Hall of Fame in 1999, trained four Kentucky Derby winners among his 15 Triple Crown triumphs, and also prepared 20 winners at the Breeders Cup. His best horses include Lady's Secret, Thunder Gulch, Charismatic, Winning Colours and Tabasco Cat.
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