Winx makes more history with third Cox Plate
Winx has cemented her place as one of the all-time greats of Australian racing, winning the $3 million WS Cox Plate for the third year in a row.
The champion mare has equalled the great Kingston Town with a third Cox Plate victory, narrowly winning at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
Never before has she had to dig as deep as she did on Saturday, holding off a late challenge from Humidor to record a 22nd-straight race win.
"I'm lost for words," jockey Hugh Bowman said after the race. "We are in the presence of greatness."
Long-time trainer Chris Waller couldn't hold back the tears after the historic victory.
"I'm blessed to be in this position," he said.
"I've got some friends doing it very tough at the moment, but this makes it very special."
Bowman was caught wide in the early stages before easing Winx to settle fifth in the running line.
Winx began to improve her position from the 900m and had the lead on the turn with Humidor the only horse giving chase.
Starting a prohibitive favourite at $1.17, Winx held off Humidor ($31) to win by a long neck with Godolphin's English-trained Folkswood ($26) finishing 4-1/4 lengths away third.
Bowman said Waller deserved all the credit.
"To be able to manage an animal like this and bring her back three years in a row to peak on one particular day, I think it goes unnoticed," he said.
The victory sees Winx overtake Makybe Diva as Australian racing's highest prize money earner.
She also joins Black Caviar on a record 15 Group One wins.
WHO IS WINX?
A six-year-old bay mare, foaled September 14, 2011 by Street Cry out of Vegas Showgirl
Bought at the 2013 Magic Millions yearling sale for $230,000
Owned by Magic Bloodstock Racing (Peter and Patty Tighe), Richard Treweeke and Debbie Kepitis
Trained by Chris Waller
Prize money of $15,627,925 with 26 wins from 32 starts, more than any other Australian racehorse
WHEN DID WE START TO TAKE NOTICE?
Came from last to win the Sunshine Coast Guineas on May 16, 2015, starting a streak that now stands at 22 consecutive wins
JOCKEYS TO WIN ON WINX
Hugh Bowman (21), Jason Collett (2), Larry Cassidy (1), James McDonald (1) and Tommy Berry (1)
LAST JOCKEY TO LOSE ON WINX
Hong Kong star Joao Moreira had the ride when Winx finished second in the Australian Oaks on April 11, 2015
WHERE HAS SHE WON?
Randwick (13), Rosehill (5), Moonee Valley (3), Warwick Farm (1), Sunshine Coast (1), Doomben (1), Caulfield (1) and Flemington (1)
WHAT HAS SHE WON?
15 Group One races, equal to retired undefeated mare Black Caviar and ahead of Kingston Town who won 14
Her most recent win made her equal to Kingston Town as the only two horses to win three Cox Plates
WHAT ABOUT THE RACE?
The Cox Plate is worth $3 million, with $1.8 million for first, and is run over 2040m
Winx faced seven rivals at Moonee Valley on Saturday
As prohibitive $1.17 favourite, Winx finished a long neck in front of Humidor ($31) with Folkswood ($26) 4-1/4 lengths third
with AAP
