As the countdown continues to Winx’s date with history, trainer Chris Waller has reaffirmed the champion is as well as he can have her.
“She had an easy gallop this morning, basically at three-quarter pace before finishing off a little stronger in the straight and again everything is in order and she is ready to do us all proud,” Waller said on Thursday.
“Basically now we just look forward to the race and hope for a trouble free run.”
Winx is the short-priced favourite to become the first horse to win the Cox Plate, considered Australasia’s weight-for-age championship, four times.
“She is as well as we can have her and the preparation has gone very well,” Waller said.
“Obviously we are getting towards the eve of this big race and in comparison to last year she is basically in the same condition.”
Winx was at $1.22 on Thursday with international visitor Benbatl, who won the Caulfield Stakes at Group One level in his Australian debut, the only other horse under double figures at $8.50.
Last year’s runner-up Humidor, who will have blinkers back on for the first time this preparation, is next in the market at $15 in the field of eight in the Moonee Valley showpiece.
