Michael Thomas' marvelous miler competed in the shadow of the legendary Winx but now has a chance to create his own dynasty, starting with the group 1 that carries her name.

Happy Clapper will begin his nine-year-old campaign in the Winx Stakes at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

The gelding ran second to Winx five times but has finally outlasted the mare, who retired to the breeding barn earlier this year.

It'll be the first time Winx hasn't featured in the race, formerly known as the Warwick Stakes, since 2015.

Meanwhile Luke Pepper-trained O'Princess is swiftly making a name for herself at Thoroughbred Park and has kicked off the season with two-straight wins in the Federal.

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The New Zealand-bred mare continued her winning partnership with apprentice jockey Tyler Schiller, taking out the benchmark 70 handicap (1900) metres on Friday.

O'Princess has won her last three races with Schiller on her back and has blossomed with longer distances.

Pepper is planning to nominate O'Princess in Sydney midweek, in race around the 2000 metre mark.

"Ideally we'd like to keep stepping up," Pepper said.

"If she can get a city win or place next to her name, it will really increase her value as a breed mare."

Old Trafford will head back to paddock for a well-deserved spell after a long campaign for Pepper's stable.

The five-year-old gelding finished ninth in the class 1 and maiden plate (1750 metres) but Pepper is pleased with his overall campaign.

"Old Trafford has done a pretty good job and is coming down to his tether," Pepper said.

"The race didn't pan out the way we wanted to but he's done a really good job for the owners and is ready for a well-deserved holiday."