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The first Group 1 of the season kicks off at Randwick on Saturday with the Winx Stakes an absolute belter: Avilius Vs Verry Elleegant Vs Happy Clapper.

The latest Sky Racing news update on Friday with Andrew Bensley at Randwick – Webster sounds Happy Clapper warning, Anthony Cummings full of confidence, Thompson weighs up options, host of Randwick chances for Baker – plus more of the latest racing news.

Randwick Track Manager Michael Wood with an update on the Randwick Course Proper ahead of the Winx Stakes meeting at Randwick on Saturday - Track Good 4 and the rail is out 4m for the entire circuit.

Greg Hickman’s Pierata cruised through a Group and Listed trial over 1000m on the Course Proper at Warwick Farm on Friday to fully justify his third ranking in TAB’s All In market for The Everest (1200m)

Track conditions, form and scratchings for The Valley - Track Soft 5 - rail out 4m for the entire circuit - no irrigation for the last seven days - 0.2mm of rain for the last 24 hours, 7mm for the last seven days - two scratchings

Track conditions, form and scratchings for Randwick - Track Good 4 - rail out 4m for the entire circuit - no irrigation for the last 24 hours, 10mm for the last seven days - no rain for the last seven days - 11 scratchings

Friday’s meetings include Canberra-Acton, Murwillumbah, Rockhampton, Bendigo, Korea’s Busan, South Africa’s Fairview, Singapore’s Kranji, France’s Deauville, UK’s Ffos Las, Dat Three of York’s Festival, Newmarket, Goodwood and Ireland’s Curragh and Killarney - includes Randwick and The Valley on Saturday

Race Tips and Previews for feature races at Randwick - Tips and Race Preview for the 2019 Winx Stakes at Randwick on Saturday go for a WFA star, Avilius can sprint very well here and he is at $3.40.

Jockey John Allen expects a strong showing when Terbium resumes at The Valley on Saturday but trainer Phillip Stokes is wary of the rain-affected conditions his talented four-year-old gelding will experience for his seasonal reappearance.

Last week at Caulfield was a hint of the spring carnival ahead of us. This week The Valley reminds us that it's still winter...

Racing NSW on Thursday announced the 2020 dates and venues for the $1.6 million Country Championships and $1.25 million Provincial Championships Series.

A statue featuring Luke Nolen was unfurled at Caulfield Racecourse last Saturday but the three-time Melbourne premiership-winning rider isn't absorbed in events of the past.

Godolphin's trainer James Cummings comments on the stable's runners at the Winx Stakes meeting at Randwick on Saturday - Avilius (GB) - “It’s a pleasure to have him back in training after going out on a high. His preliminaries have been just perfect. We saw a glimpse of how that’s been unfolding in his Rosehill trial.”

Racing NSW stewards' advised on Thursday that they have acceded to a request from trainer Pat Webster to apply Blinkers back on Happy Clapper in this Saturday’s Group 1 WFA Winx Stakes (1400m) - approved overweight riders

Follow the TAB.com.au fixed odds market movers for the meetings at Randwick and The Valley on Saturday - Randwick - Libertini $1.90-$1.75 $2,223 @ $1.90, $300 @ $1.90, $2,300 @ $1.85, $1,116 @ $1.85, $500 @ $1.85, $475 @ $1.85, $650 @ $1.75, $500 @ $1.75 twice

Rock The Drum again appeared destined to have a hard luck story to tell for the third-consecutive start on Wednesday.

Sydney apprentice Jean Van Overmeire has had his indentures transferred to Anthony Cummings at Randwick.

Wednesday's wagering review of TAB.com.au fixed odds markets for races at the Winx Stakes meeting at Randwick and the McKenzie Stakes meeting at The Valley on Saturday - Avilius $3.10 out to $3.50 for Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m)

The Waterhouse and Bott stable continued their winning start to the 2019/20 Sydney season with two back to back wins at Canterbury on Wednesday with good wins from three-year-old’s Yao Dash and Lakia

The first Group 1 of the 2019/20 Sydney season, the WFA Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday, has a field of 10 with Godolphin’s Avilius (GB) the $3.10 favourite for his opening round of this campaign

The latest Sky Racing news update on Wednesday with Gerard Middleton – Hugh Bowman discusses Enticing Star, Supernova favourite for Rowley Mile – plus more of the latest racing news.