Winx has scored one of the most emphatic Cox Plate wins in the history of race
Winx has scored one of the most emphatic Cox Plate wins in the history of Australia’s premier weight-for-age race.
Turning a much-anticipated match race with main rival Hartnell into a one-act affair, Winx extended her winning sequence to 13 victories.
She joins turf greats such as Phar Lap, Kingston Town, Sunline, Northerly and So You Think as a multiple winner of the Moonee Valley race.
Winx won last year’s edition by almost five lengths but she went even better on Saturday.
She extended under jockey Hugh Bowman to beat Hartnell by eight lengths.
The only three-year-old in the race, the filly Yankee Rose, finished three-quarters of a length away third.
French star Vadamos took fourth after setting the pace.
Winx’s winning margin took even her most ardent supporter by surprise.
“I thought she could win, but not like that,” trainer Chris Waller said.
“It’s the best from around the world, really. So yeah, you never expect to win like that.”
Bowman rebounded from an indifferent day in the saddle to partner Winx to her stunning win.
He said he was always confident despite Hartnell and James McDonald trying to take the challenge up to Winx.
“My feeling was good. I think James was quietly confident, but when I
started to, you know, put the pressure on to him, I think he realised,” Bowman said.
