The Group 1 Doncaster Mile over 1600m was won by Winx, the people’s horse and the Queen of the Turf, in brilliant fashion yet again.
She did it all; beating the handicap weight, coming from near last on a bold ride from Hugh Bowman, and on a shifting track that unstuck some of her rivals.
The beaten brigade were honest in defeat but Happy Clapper in second and Azkadellia in third were given huge weight advantages and were flying late. Winx continued to run away from them to the line to win by more than a length.
Trainer Chris Waller fought back tears when describing her win and admitted he thought she was gone with 800m to go, having sat third-last and with no easy passage through a bunched field.
But when Bowman pushed her she burst through the pack in a weaving run, and was suddenly running away from the rest in an instant.
Her nine straight victories include five Group 1s – the Epsom, the Cox Plate, George Ryder, Chipping Norton and the Doncaster. Her victory secured the winners cheque of $1.8 million and she looks set to be one of the shortest favourites in history for the Queen Elizabeth next week if she backs up.
There’s little left for her to prove on home soil and a suitable race overseas may be planned.
Australia’s top sprinter, Chautauqua, earlier won the TJ Smith, while New Zealand horse Tavago won the Australian Derby in a blowout over hot fancy Tarvino.
Tim
Guest
I'm pretty sure Waller was quoted as saying that she wasn't a champion yet, but if she won the Donny she would be classed as one. I guess the theory is, a horse needs to win a major hcp carrying a high weight to be cosidered a champion.
BrisburghPhil
Roar Guru
Absolute star she is but I do question just why she needed to run in that race? Surely the Queen Eliizabeth was the goal, and she should win that too, but was the Doncaster overtaxing her unnecessarily?
kv joef
Roar Guru
Not sure whether any horse has won Epsom -WSCox- Doncaster in the same season? Super Impose, Gunsynd and Chatham won the 3 in consecutive seasons. and each won multiples of the individual races. Unique performances, at the top level, define a champion. yesterday Winx achieved that milestone. I think the she is a champion. it is just where in the ladder she might fit ...
Aransan
Guest
I hope that is the last handicap Winx races in, that was a huge effort.
Peeeko
Guest
Great horse, stay in Australia and win the cox plate again
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Gee the TAB gave a guy $50k to bet on the day after winning a competition, and put it on Winx. Huge.
E-Meter
Guest
Great win.
Bill
Guest
Simply brilliant. Chataqua too