Winkelmann made a perfect return to racing on Friday night scoring at Moonee Valley in the Powerflo Solutions Kate O’Sullivan Cup (1600m).
The five-year-old daughter of Rip Van Winkle was resuming off a spell having not been seen on raceday since July last year.
Jockey Craig Williams made use of her good barrier and pushed the mare up to settle behind the leader. As the leader moved off the rail rounding the home turn Williams allowed Winkelmann to sneak up the rail and urged her to the front in the home straight before holding off all challenges to secure victory.
“I was really fortunate I had a well-prepared horse,” jockey Craig Williams said.
“She has now had two first up runs over a medium distance and saluted both times.”
The Danny O’Brien trained Winkelmann races in the Trelawney silks for the partnership of Brent and Cherry Taylor, Faith Taylor, Scott Malcom and Jane Taylor.
“It was a very good ride, he didn’t have to go around a horse,” stable representative Matt Harrington said.
“A mile first up, she was probably vulnerable the last 100m but I like that she kept sticking her neck out to make sure she won. It was a really good start to the prep.
“I think off the back of that she would be a strong 2000m horse. If we can poke around that and
keep going through the grades and hopefully one day get her in a better race it would be great for Brent and Cherry who are great supporters of the stable.”
The win was Winkelmann’s fourth from 19th start and took her stake earnings to A$140,410.
O'Brien expects that the mare will push out to 2000m this preparation which could add a string to her bow as she is yet to race past 1800m.
"She is a more seasoned product this time in, so hopefully she gain confidence from the win and go on with it," O'Brien said.