It is a wonderful spectacle to see horses etch themselves into the history books, by running the fastest time ever recorded at that track and distance. We have been lucky enough to see this happen a number of times this year, including Winx’s Cox Plate record.
Super Too
Randwick 1000m – 0:55.72 (Avg. Speed 64.3 kp/h)
The explosive leader ran the field off their feet when shattering the 1000m record at Randwick in August. The 4-year-old mare by Hinchinbrook went on to beat Rock ‘n’ Gold and the smart Madeenaty by 2L in her next outing at the Valley. Trained by Marc Conners, Super Too finished the year a runner up in Group 2 class, getting run down by Snitty Kitty in the Caulfield Sprint.
Redzel
Randwick 1100m – 1:01.83 (Avg. Speed 63.9 kp/h)
Redzel was not only the winner of the Australia’s richest race, but was also a track record breaker when defeating Ball Of Muscle and Nieta in The Shorts in September. The Peter and Paul Snowden gelding has currently won 6 on the trot and will look to go a few better in 2018.
Deploy
Randwick 1200m – 1:08.06 (Avg. Speed 63.5 kp/h)
Rosehill 1300m – 1:14.92 (Avg. Speed 62.4 kp/h)
The 5-year-old gelding by Fastnet Rock was very impressive in 2017, most notably breaking the 1200 and 1300m track record at Randwick and Rosehill. The Gerald Ryan trained galloper was brilliant in overpowering The Virginian and Burning Passion in the Group 3 Show County Quality, taking the record with him before blowing away Egg Tart by 4L in the Theo Marks on the 9th of September. The only horse to break 2 track records this year and is a big watch in 2018.
Super Ex
Randwick 1300m – 1:14.59 (Avg. Speed 62.4 kp/h)
Marginally bettered Deploys 1:14.92 over 1300 at Rosehill when on pace and holding on to beat Merovee and Beau Geste in a BM 75 in early September. The three-year-old colt is currently 3 from 5 in his career however was disappointing in the recent listed Gold Edition Plate over 1200m at Doomben. The Mark Newman colt by Excites is nominated for the Gold Coast Magic Millions 1400m 3YO Guineas on the 13th of January, and will likely be hard to beat with the extra distance.
Pelethronius
Randwick 1500m – 1:30.01 (Avg. Speed 60.0 kp/h)
The 5-year-old gelding won 4 on the trot in 2017, breaking the Randwick track record for 1500m in the process. Admittedly against weaker company in BM65 – 85, the galloper by Artie Schiller still boasts a more-then-impressive record of 7 wins and a minor placing from 15 starts. Trainer David Pfieffer has a potentially successful year ahead pending the potential of both Pelethronius and Denmagic.
Lubiton
Moonee Valley 1600m – 1:34.42 (Avg. Speed 61.3 kp/h)
Trained by Bjorn Baker, Lubiton had a mixed year competing in anything from the Group 1 Vinery Stud and ATC Oaks to a BM 70 at Canterbury. The 4-year-old mare by Snitzel met some very handy opposition throughout her campaign, that was highlighted by a big win in the Group 3 Tesio Stakes with record-breaking run at the Valley. Lubiton tried to repeat the front running tactics the next start however the 1800m trip proved too much for her, getting swamped by the talented Odeon in the closing stages.
Winx
Moonee Valley 2040m – 2:02.94 (Avg. Speed 59.7 kp/h)
Proving that the great mare is now better then ever, she bettered her time from the previous 2 years in the Cox Plate, as well as putting herself at the top of a class that includes names like So You Think, Makybe Diva, Northerly, Sunline, Might and Power and Kingston Town, all previous Cox Plate winners. Another great story out of this race is the fact that the previous record was also beaten by Humidor. All eyes will be on these 2 when they make their return in 2018; with perhaps more records set to tumble.
