When Our Sir Vancelot became the first pacer to win three Interdominion Pacing Championships, his feat was compared to Kingston Town’s achievement of winning three consecutive Cox Plates.
Considering this alongside his overall record, it would have been reasonable to claim that Our Sir Vancelot was the best Australasian pacer of all-time.
Except he wasn’t. In fact, we know he wasn’t.
Just a few months earlier, Our Sir Vancelot raced in one of harness racing’s signature events, the Miracle Mile, and was utterly humiliated by Christian Cullen. A week later, Our Sir Vancelot was on the end of another hiding from the mighty Kiwi, although he managed to trim the margin to fourteen metres, down from twenty-four the previous week.
Serendipitous.
This is not quite the case with the queen of the thoroughbred world: Winx.
Winx, of course, is one of the greats of the Australian turf, and the best galloper in the world. But what do we mean when we say “the best”?
Do we measure by the sheer accumulation of wins?
The most Group Ones?
How do we assess the calibre of opposition, and is that even relevant? Has Winx been sheltered from more difficult assignments, merely to keep her winning streak going?
A common critique of Winx is that the quality of horses she has been facing isn’t particularly high. I find this to be a weak criticism, given that she has beaten 53 individual Group One winners. There are some critiques that have more weight, however.
These are directed more at Winx’s connections, rather than the mare herself, who has no say over where she races.
It seems a shame that Winx has not proven herself on the international stage. Few people will believe that a horse of her ability continued to run in races like the Chipping Norton Stakes when she should be taking on the world’s best milers.
Winx will never be tested in the helter-skelter of a Caulfield or Melbourne Cup. A golden opportunity was missed by not running Winx in the 2015 Japan Cup.
We can marvel at Winx’s three Cox Plate victories, and revel in her greatness; but can we say she had a “Christian Cullen moment,” when she took on an undisputed champion and destroyed him?
peeeko
Roar Guru
interesting article. I agree that the quality of opposition that Winx faces at times is not top quality Group 1. this is due to 2 factors. firstly the quality of middle distance WFA horses at the moment is not deep and pretty average. 9 of the 12 runners in the australian up last week were imported after racing in Europe early in their career. they come here for great prizemoney with suspect opposition. the other reason is that she scares off opposition. If i owned her i would have no interest in Royal Ascot the prizemoney is poor - the Queen Anne is worth 1.3 m compared to 4 m for the QE2 stakes at Randwick. plus winning at Royal Ascot isnt proof of being the worlds best. there are greater races such as the Japan cup, the HK international day, the breeders cup in the USA and the arc in France. Black Caviar faced much better opposition in Australia than she did at Ascot
Kangajets
Guest
I guess the owners can choose what they want to do , and they only race for about 5 seasons maximum, and you never know if an injury will end your career abruptly. To win 3 Cox Plates is an amazing feat, maybe in hindsight if they could have went to Japan , but did the trainer / owners know how good Winx was at the time. A Caulfield and Melbourne Cup would see Winx weighted out of the contest .