The daughter of a showgirl was a showstopper once again, with Winx creating history and winning her third straight Cox Plate.
Melbourne Cup Day live blog and results
There were highlights, there were lowlights, namely the bias. Here is my wrap of the meeting.
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Race One: Inglis Banner 1000m
Tempo- Sub 23 first 400m of the race set by Miss Blumenthal, who had market support, but was a beaten horse on the turn. Race was set up for something from behind.
Big Tick- Very good win by Setsuna. Sat wide, albeit with cover, but she surged to the front under riding and when asked for the big effort, she lifted and on the line she was dominant.
Future- The Blinkers significantly improved the Sun Bloodstock runner Grand Challenge. Got back, held up slightly but his last 75m was very good. Good late splits and a race like the Merson Cooper would be perfect.
Race Two: Strathmore Community Bendigo Bank Handicap 955m:
Tempo- As is the case always with these 955m races, they burn the candle big time to start with and this race was do different, with some blistering early sectionals set by Gee Gees Jet.
Big Tick- I think it’s all credit to the winner Gun Case. 3/4 wide no cover for the trip and yes there were unlucky runners getting held up, but he did the work and fought really hard.
Future- Badajoz was the obvious, but I am all over Thelburg. Was keen on him at Geelong on Wednesday but stable pulled the pin and ran here. He’s run the third quickest final 200m of the race under triple wraps. If placed right, he can win for sure.
Race Three: Telstra Phoneworlds Stakes 1200m
Tempo- Very slow speed set by the leader/winner Eptimum. Nearly 36 seconds first 600m of the race, so really, and really, when he’s running sub 34 final 600m, nothing from the back had a hope.
Big Tick- Single Bullet looked a bit lost around the Valley last time but I liked the way he knuckled down late and was sound to the line and through it. Not sure where he goes now, but he’s just racing very well.
Future- Keep an eye on Surjin. Yep, beaten 12 lengths, but has clocked the fastest final 200m of the race, and he was charging through the line. 1200m is short of his best, so up in trip, he could surprise.
Race Four: Ladbrokes Crockett Stakes 1200m
Tempo- First hint of the bias. 34.21 first 600m set by leader/winner Blondie, who went very hard to hold the lead and fend off Demerara for the lead. Demerara had to sit back and conserve energy.
Big Tick- Demerara, on face value, was disappointing. But first look at the Valley, first look at Melbourne and she just got lost on the turn when seemingly looking to be bolting. She will be much better for that.
Future- If you backed Jorda, don’t watch the replay down below. Bowman rode for the bias, hoping to get inside runs, but it just didn’t happen for him on the filly and it was an ugly watch. Still second quickest final 200m of the race.
Race Five: Powerflo Solutions Stakes 1600m
Tempo- Bias clearly evident after this race. First 1000m in a tick over 59, which is a very fast tempo, so really, every other horse had their chance to run her down.
Big Tick- Yes, helped by the bias, but Lubiton ran some really slick splits and was there to be run down, but she was strong on the line and was comfortably holding them at bay.
Future- Consommateur has Matriarch written all over her. Clocked the fastest last 800/600/400 of the race before getting held up last furlong when building that momentum. Flemington 2000m in a fortnight will be perfect.
Race Six: McCafe Moonee Valley Gold Cup 2500m
Tempo- This was a farcically run affair. First 1000m was run in around 1.13. There is such thing as too slow and that is what Baster did on Cismontane. That’s why he clung on for third.
Big Tick- He’s a beauty, Who Shot Thebarman. Got going a fair way out due to the tempo and that is what won the race for the greybeard, who is now a definite starter in the Melbourne Cup. Lovely ride.
Future- Not much of a future for this bunch I dare say. Was really keen on Big Duke. Handing up probably not ideal but can understand why he did. A Melbourne Cup chance? Nah.
(AAP Image/Tracey Nearmy)
Race Seven: italktravel Fillies Classic 1600m
Tempo- Visually they looked to be going quick but just a tick under 49 for the first 800m set by Mintha. Very hard to figure out what happened here re: her and the speed.
Big Tick- I’ll Have A Bit was very good. Pulled her head off mid race and spent a lot of petrol tickets trying to relax. Somehow built momentum and charged to just miss.
Future- Touch Of Mink the clear follow here. Took off mid race and her splits were brutal, running the fastest splits between the 1200m-200m. Just bottomed out the final furlong. Back to 1400m she’ll be hard to beat.
Race Eight: Schweppes Crystal Mile 1600m
Tempo- Burning Front and Religify went warp speed here with a sub 47 first 800m with that early burn between he and Burning Front setting up that tempo for those behind.
Big Tick- Religify did a really good job to fight like he did given the pressure he copped on speed. Gave a really good kick and looked a fleeting winning chance until you saw Lucky Hussler jogging.
Future- Outclassed, but dropping back in grade, Wyndspelle can go close next time. Just got caught in the worst ground but made up okay ground. He’s one for a 1400m Handicap.
Race Nine: Ladbrokes Cox Plate 2040m
Tempo- Gailo Chop didn’t appear to go very hard on speed and the times backed that up. Just adds merit to the win of the champion mare that is Winx.
Big Tick- Humidor…it’s amazing what can happen in seven days. Horrible in the Caulfield Cup, albeit ridden upside down, but ridden cold, he nearly was the party pooper. Amazing run, unbelievable ride.
Future- Folkswood will strongly challenge Hartnell for the Emirates. His form from overseas was very good and he ran right up to that. Third up at Flemington 2000m will be perfect.
Race Ten: Drummond Golf Vase 2040m
Tempo- Wasn’t really a break neck tempo set by Cliff’s Edge. Just a good, even speed, allowed to do his own thing in front, much like last week in the Caulfield Classic.
Big Tick- It’s all about Aloisia. Absolutely spanked them and thankfully Nolen took full advantage of the inside gate to stalk Cliff’s Edge all the way. She’ll be winning the Oaks.
Future- Vin De Dance came off the bit a long way out when Cliff’s Edge sprinted. Was never a winning threat, but he stuck on really well and was good through the line. Certainly a pass mark for the Derby.
Aransan
Guest
Diablo, we shouldn't worry too much about the size of a horse. Northern Dancer, Hyperion and his grandson Star Kingdom were all closer to 15 hands. A mate inspected Tattenham at his first start at Caulfield and came back and described him as being knee high. Tottenham was beaten a head by Abdul who turned out to be a very good horse.
Aransan
Guest
Thanks for that Adam.
1der
Guest
Jorda settled 7 lengths off the pace and beaten 4 lengths. Just not up to it. Moonee Valley is a trap for punters
1der
Guest
Three wide for part of the trip and on the home turn which was the slow part of the track she was able to sprint two lengths clear. If the track was playing true she would have put four (4) + entering the straight. Racing Vic is a disgrace.
michael steel
Guest
Winx broke her own track record. It's her third Cox Plate and 22nd consecutive win. Great effort by Humidor but Winx is the story. Some of these posts are ludicrous.
Diablo James
Roar Rookie
Yes it may be sacrilegious but I was more impressed with Humidor because his form leading into the race was ominous compared with Winx and the racing public wrote him off, with the exception of Aransan! For Humidor to come so close given he backed up from a Caulfield Cup and was boxed in until the 200m show's his fighting spirit and resilience. The decision to race him in the Melbourne Cup proves how versatile he is!
Adam Page
Roar Guru
She covered 2074m, the second most of the race. Humidor ran 2066, which is around 3-4 lengths. Stunning effort by horse and rider. It's her greatest win considering what was on the line and how much work she did
Davico
Roar Pro
So your more impressed by a horse that got beaten in the run of its life than the horse that beat it?? OK!
Aransan
Guest
I actually backed Humidor to beat Winx and I wasn't surprised by his effort. How many extra lengths did Winx travel through being wide and how much disadvantage was there due to the track bias favouring the rail? I thought this was her greatest victory. She could easily have come undone with a slow start, uncharacteristically she was unsettled in the gates.
Diablo James
Roar Rookie
Humidor impressed me more than Winx because we all expected her to win but we didn't expect Humidor to place let alone come within half a length of beating her. I was fortunate to spend a few minutes with him prior to the Turnbull Stakes and was surprised at how diminutive and unassuming he was. Accolades to Team Darren Weir. Phenomenal effort!
Aransan
Guest
I hope someone writes an article on Winx's win in the Cox Plate befitting her effort, was this her best ever victory given the ground she travelled and the track bias? Was Bowman's ride explained by the difficulties he faced on Jorda in race 4 when he tried to take advantage of the bias?
no one in particular
Roar Guru
It seems every major meeting in Melb and Syd these days has a 3yo fillies 1200m race and a 3yo fillies 1600m race
Mike from tari
Guest
My bet in the Cox was stuffed by Oliver.
Not so super
Guest
Gee there were some weak group 2 and 3 races today Valley prize money has been stagnant for a decade and most trainers bypass these previous great meeting