Champion Winx is to start from her widest barrier as she attempts an historic fourth win in the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley.
Part-owner Peter Tighe selected barrier six in the eight-horse field at Tuesday’s barrier draw with the mare winning her previous Cox Plates from one, three and five.
Tighe was the fifth called to choose a starting position and was left with the choices of two, six, seven or eight.
“We probably would have preferred to have drawn in a little bit but its a small field and we’d rather be drawn out where we are than in on the fence,” Tighe said.
“I was under a bit of instruction from (jockey) Hugh Bowman and I was guided by what barrier he liked to be in and I’m happy to be there.”
With Winx having jumped from “odd” numbers in her previous year Tighe said he has no superstitions about selecting an “even” number this time.
“We had to take what was left in the first year and the other couple of years we got what we wanted,” Tighe said.
“We’re not far from what we exactly wanted.”
With trainer Saeed bin Suroor selecting three for second favourite Benbatl, Bowman indicated he wanted to be drawn out.
“By the time her number was drawn you could see Benbatl was in three and barrier two was available,” Bowman said.
“I wouldn’t have wanted to be drawn in barrier two to be honest. From what was left this was the perfect draw.
“I think it’s a draw that, depending on how the race is run, I can ride Winx to suit her and suit the race.”
Bowman said he would not make any rash decisions early in the race and will not be in a rush to push forward.
“But if they’re not going quick enough I’ll go forward, I won’t be going back,” he said.
“I’ll have her comfortable as I always do.
“She tends to prefer settling back in the field, but that doesn’t mean we have to ride her that way.”
