Editor
The Chris Waller-trained Winx has won Australasia’s champion weight-for-age race, taking out the 2015 Cox Plate by almost five lengths in a new track-record time.
Australian journeyman Criterion was brave in second, English horse Highland Reel finished third, with Gai Waterhouse’s Pornichet fourth.
But it was all the pre-race favourite Winx and jockey Hugh Bowman from as far as 350 metres out, and no horse could come near her.
Winx smashed the previous record of 2:03.54, set by Might And Power in 1998, to set a new official standard of 2:02.98.
It was the first win by a female horse since Pinker Pinker in 2011.
Cox Plate 2015 results
1. Winx $4.60
2. Criterion $2.25
3. Highland Reel $2.85
4. Pornichet
Jockey Hugh Bowman was emotional after the win, telling Channel Seven:
“All I wanted to be when I was a little boy was to be a jockey. To be here riding on this day, to win a race like this I can’t tell you how much it means. I just can’t believe it.
“I drew barrier one, had a lot of confidence in the mare but was a bit worried down the side the first time because Highland Reel was staying one off and there was a lot of room between me and The Cleaner which is not ideal but she’s a Group I mare and she’s a serious racehorse that adapted to the awkward position.
“From the 800m I was very confident but from the 600m when The Cleaner rolled off and I went through, I didn’t want to be going that early but sometimes you don’t have choices, you’ve got to take the cards you are dealt and I was on the premium mare that was able to capitalise on the run that I got.”
Video via SkyRacing.com.au.