LADBROKES COX PLATE

(GROUP 1)

THE full house sign went up at Moonee Valley in the days leading up to Saturday’s $3 million Ladbrokes Cox Plate and the ensuing theatre proved compelling. Aiming for a 22nd straight race win, the Chris Waller-trained Winx had a crowd at her stall all day. She was clapped into the parade ring and greeted with a roar when she emerged from beneath the grandstand onto the track. The 32,617 racegoers ensured the daughter of Street Cry was a prohibitive $1.18, one of the shortest priced favourites in the race’s 97-year history.

A field reduced to nine with the raceday scratching of Kaspersky was let go at the top of the straight. Unhurried, Hugh Bowman was content to sit three off the rail letting Gailo Chop make the running ahead of Foxwood. Humidor went back and found the rail, while the second favourite Happy Clapper got in a bumping duel with the three-year-old Royal Symphony that stewards would later take action on.

As in most Cox Plates, the pace built from the 1,200 metres as Bowman positioned Winx to strike. With blinkers on for the first time, Humidor hugged the rail for as long as possible before seeking the trail behind Winx, who Bowman had kept three-deep for the journey.

FATIGUE

With fatigue weighing her rivals’ legs, Winx swept to the lead before the turn with only Humidor travelling well enough to match her. Winx was away by a length at the 100 as the crowd roared her on with Humidor closing. Try as he might, and to onlookers’ great relief, Humidor just couldn’t find the extra half-length required as Winx crossed the line in course record time, breaking her own mark from the 2015 Cox Plate.

Third was the Charlie Appleby-trained Foxwood a further four lengths away.

“I’m lost for words, she’s just made history,” said Bowman. “I was born the year Kingston Town won his first Cox Plate and to think that she’s emulated that great horse, it’s incredible. She will be recognised as one of the greatest horses to have graced the Australian turf.”

The victory, Winx’s 15th at Group 1 level, also elevated the six-year-old to the top of Australia’s all-time stakes earners list with more than $15.5 million, to surpass Makybe Diva as she equalled Black Caviar’s Group 1 record at her 32nd start.

“It wasn’t an easy victory, but you don’t come to these races expecting to win, believe it or not. Obviously she was in for the fight, she had to be good to fight off Humidor. It was a fair dinkum Cox Plate,” said a clearly relieved Chris Waller who has distilled the appreciation held for Winx who has crossed over into mainstream appeal. “She’s no longer our horse. She’s everybody’s horse,” he said.

SHINN’S FOUR-TIMER

Blake Shinn had a superb day in the saddle Saturday, riding four winners, but would surely hand it all back to gain an extra half-length aboard Humidor in the Cox Plate.

“I thought when I made a run we were a real chance but Winx is a champion, she just keeps responding under pressure,” said Shinn whose otherwise sensational day was headlined by group wins on Who Shot Thebarman, Lucky Hussler and Lubiton. “It’s been an amazing day,” Shinn added. “This is where the best of the best are – trainers, jockeys and horses. So I’m pretty proud to ride four winners, it’s very special.”