Winx has elevated herself to immortal status with a truly magical win in the G1 $5 million W S Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley.
The champion, lauded by many as the greatest galloper Australia has ever seen, made history when she became the first racehorse to win four runnings of the race regarded as the weight-for-age championship of Australasia on Saturday.
Sent out a hot favourite and roared onto the track by an adoring sell-out crowd, Winx was able to sit in fourth and fifth place during the early and middle stages before Hugh Bowman asked her to move around runners heading past the school.
From that point the result was never in doubt as she got to the second favourite Benbatl before striding clear to win by a widening two length margin. Last year’s runner up Humidor ran third, another two and three quarter lengths back.
Connections of Winx expressed their pride for what was a truly remarkable victory by an out and out champion equine athlete. “I am just so proud of the horse,” Hugh Bowman beamed after the race. “I cannot believe it.”
The 7yo mare was winning for the 22nd time at Group 1 level and her earnings are close to $23 million – a remarkable return on the $230,000 she cost owners Peter Tighe, Richard Treweeke and Debbie Kepitis at the 2013 Gold Coast Magic Millions.
Champion Darley stallion Street Cry sired her from Al Akbar mare Vegas Showgirl who was a multiple stakes winner for Graeme Rogerson. She was purchased off the track as a breeding prospect by Colm Santry for Fairway Thoroughbreds owner John Camilleri.
While Winx’s racing future is yet to be resolved, it’s a great time for thoroughbred aficionados to sit back and take in the most remarkable achievement seen on an Australian racecourse. “It is pretty special,” trainer Chris Waller said. “I can not say much more, I am gassed. Lucky the horse has more petrol than me!
“I don’t really get a chance to reflect on how much she means to people,” he told racing.com while scanning the rapturous crowd. “You hear it but you don’t often see it and I will take this moment with me for the rest of my life.”
