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.
Angela Mills
Guest
She is a dead set champion. Thanx from me to everyone who works their bum off for the love of horses. I am so proud of you all.
MattK
Guest
Why don't you give up kv? You've tried, heaven knows you have tried.. I read the other track bias article too. Don't australians understand the difference between a track bias and a speed bias? Scabu, relating to comments here; When profiling a track there is something important you have to do. Here's the tip, pen ready; do it from the outside running rail, not the inside rail. You know, assess from something that doesn't move. That's how you consistently identify lanes and dead spots. Trying to assess something that is moving from something that is moving, well good luck with that. Aa for your horse-width comment. 3 meters is 4 wide. How big are these horses? Shetland ponies. What racing room to you give on either side of the horses? Your comment is silly nonsense. off topic kv; that SBS horse might miss a run? Good luck with misson impossible.
Bondy
Guest
Out of interest what odds would you have posted her in the Mlb Cup ? .
Crampion
Guest
Do i have to spell it out for you? I dont know if you are being serious or not, or just trolling. The fact i said name your odds tells you i dont think she could win, do you underatand what that means? Stupid conversation with the cox plate over 2040 and melbourne cup 3200. Cant believe i am even......................anyway, think of pretty colurs, deep breaths, pretty colours.
Bondy
Guest
I'll ask again in a hypothetical situation could she or couldnt she win a Mlb Cup ,dont worry about odds mate just answer the question please Yes or No ? ... Its a fairly simple question .
Crampion
Guest
Mate, as i said "name your odds". Wouldnt that tell you of my opinion?
michael steel
Guest
The Cleaner has had over 50 starts and has not won a Group 1.I t was never going to happen in this Cox Plate.
Scuba
Guest
Dulcify didn't get the race presented to him on a platter, still the benchmark of Cox Plate destructions: http://bigpondvideo.com/backtrack/291754/backtrack-episode-13-dulcify/
Scuba
Guest
Agree Bondy, commiserations to the connections of Kasiano Lad and RIP to the horse himself.
Scuba
Guest
Whatever you say, guru. All I know is that my ticket was confetti at the 150 and CS managed to win. If it suits you to say that the track was fair to support a theory of Winx being amazing that's a matter for you.
Scuba
Guest
How wide do you think a horse is? Moving the rail 3m after Friday is the difference between being 4 wide and on the rail.
Bondy
Guest
Terrible to see that horse crash to the turf on the line at Randwick yesterday poor bugger, RIP . ...
paulywalnuts
Guest
Exactly right Scuba. The punters knew it- Winx continued to firm even though it appeared the Epsom form was getting worse. . Sons of John and Hooked adding to Teronado and Sadler's Lake's ordinary runs last week. You simply had to be near the rail on Saturday or you were doomed. To deny a track bias yesterday is to say day is night.
Bondy
Guest
I might mention also bookmakers were offering a top 5 finish for The Cleaner at $ 4 that's right he ran 6th .
kv joef
Roar Guru
how lucky can you get ... but she had placed in a listed Flem 1600m and won a Ballarat 1600m and there wasn't going to be a lot to take her on ... but you might be interested to know that CornShallan ran true to form ... she ran the 5th slowest last 800m ... and you guessed it Azkadellia ran the fastest last 800m ... 400m and fastest last 200m and clocked the best 200m splits over the last 800m. CornShallan did corner better and that won her the race but Azkadelia didn't get bogged down anywhere but did wobble during the last 100m when she got tied. She had never gone that fast.
Bondy
Guest
pauly Also have a look at Fawkner who 10 days ago was $ 4-5 to 1 for the Plt and he SP'd at around 26 's to 30's after his Clfd Stks flop on the weekend he actually made solid ground "near the rail " ? ...
kv joef
Roar Guru
so on sat why didn't five lanes off the fence become the fast lane as plenty of winners were coming down that lane on friday night. as for prefermen, i was happy enough with the last little bit. i supposed many planned for at 2:04 race. little realised that Winx was bringing her 1:34.5 Epsom to the party. the race broke up because half of them were buggered. Caulfield Cup winner's Fawkner's 23s between 800-600 looked impressive as did Pinochet's 23.1s matching Winx but NOTHING came close to her last 400m or 200m. So, in fact, those horses DIDN'T make ground they only plugged better than the rest. Sorry mate, no theory - just facts.
Scuba
Guest
Read the post, I didn't back Azkadellia. I backed a horse with a well known reticence to run a mile because of the bias to the rails.
kv joef
Roar Guru
the track was quick and you should have known that when they confirmed the wind before the first. and on what formline did you choose Azkadellia to defeat a last start G3 placegetter behind Vashka and Under the Louvre with Worthy Cause, Rock Sturdy, sterling city behind her? She pretty much ran the time that was expected from her.
Scuba
Guest
Given that Gust Of Wind flogged her over 2400, I say no. If you think Winx would win, there is plenty of 50/1 about Gust Of Wind in the Cup you should be taking.