Winx’s mission to claim a record fourth consecutive Cox Plate will play out at Moonee Valley Racecourse in Australia’s premier weight for age contest. Join The Roar for live updates and commentary from 5pm (AEDT).
Australian equine history is at stake as Winx searches for a fourth Cox Plate and an exclamation mark on what has already been an astonishing career. There is $5 million at stake for the eight runners and the Mooney Valley track will host one of the most traditional and romantic races on the Australian racing calender.
2040 metres is the famous distance and the short straight will see much of the work done from the thousand metre point, with all the jockeys knowing that positioning off the final turn is crucial to success in this race.
Winx does look the unbackable favourite and should claim her fourth plate, however, stranger things have happened and there is some unquestioned talent up against her in this race. Benbatl showed plenty in its first run in Australia in the Caulfield Stakes and Humidor has been a threat to the champion in the past.
Kings Will Dream and D’argento are not without a chance and Aidan O’Brien’s entry Rostropovich has the speed to take up the running. Whether he is good enough to hang on with Ryan Moore steering is questionable and some of the other less fancied runners may make it difficult up front if they fear his quality.
It does appear a race in two, with Winx likely to run down Benbatl in the final 300 and gap the field for another historical win.
However, this is racing and despite most days being perfect for Winx to this point, anything could happen.
Prediction
Of course she will do it. Winx has far too much class for this field, with only Benbatl posing a remote threat. The Godolphin runner will not even recognise the flash that passes it in the home straight.
Chris Waller will have the champion in perfect condition and when that is the case, it is Winx first and daylight second. Kings Will Dream could run a sneaky race in my view yet still be a number of lengths off the top two.
1. Winx
2. Benbatl
3. Kings Will Dream
Where: Mooney Valley Racecourse, Melbourne
When: Saturday 27th October 2018, 5.00pm (AEDST)
TV: Seven Network
Full Field
1 Benbatl
2 Humidor
3 Kings Will Dream
4 Arvilius
5 D’argento
6 Winx
7 Rastropovich
8 Savvy Coup
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Thanks Aransan, I had to duck off and do another blog soon after the race. Sorry Chris, didn't see the message. Cheers
Aransan
Roar Rookie
The obvious time to retire Winx would be after the Sydney autumn races. She won't get any better from now on, old father time catches up with the best of us. Winx could clearly earn more money racing than she would in the breeding barn, but hopefully this is not all about money.
Glenn
Guest
What a sensational night and day of racing at The Valley! Two of my favourite races of the year delivered big time and incidentally a wonderful nod to the great and much loved champions Manikato and Kingston Town. I'm no expert, but is this not a good time to retire the mighty Winx? It is difficult to imagine a better ending to a wonderful career than what we witnessed yesterday. And I just don't want her last race to be a disappointment after she has given so much joy to all of us.
Aransan
Roar Rookie
2.03.47 Her previous winning times were: 2017 2.02.94 2016 2.06.35 2015 2.02.98
Aransan
Roar Rookie
I have followed racing in Australia for over 50 years and I have never seen another horse like Winx, from an Australian perspective she is truely a once in a lifetime phenomenon. The trainer of Benbatl said that he would have raced better on a softer track but that may also have been true for Winx. I believe Benbatl is a better horse than he is graded at internationally and perhaps that will only become clear after he races for another year or so. There may be a temptation to reduce the international ranking of Winx, my suggestion is that the rating for Benbatl should be increased. Congratulations to Godolphin and Coolmore for competing against a champion in the Cox Plate.
Kangas
Roar Rookie
She’s the best ever
Chris Love
Roar Guru
Thanks for the blog Stuart. What was the winning time?
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Chris Waller very emotional after the race and the track, industry and world is moved by the story of this horse.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Final result. 1/Winx 2/Benbatl 3/Humidor
Stuart Thomas
Expert
That was a moment in racing history. Winx, the greatest mare on the planet has smoked another quality field to win her fourth Cox PLate at Moonee Valley. Benbatl and Humidor put up the fight that many expected they would and battled on bravely, yet they were never in the hunt. By the 600 mark, Hugh Bowman had his mount in a perfect position and put on the back of Benbatl; waiting to pounce and out on a show for the fans. In the end she did it with ease and showed the world why she is rated as the best of the best. Thanks for being on board for the call and be sure to be here for some of the classic races still to come in the spring.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Winx wins her 29th straight race and her fourth plate. What a stunning effort!
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Winx has won her fourth Cox Plate and Hugh Bowman has ridden her a treat.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
WINX, WINX, WINX. She runs down Benbatl in the straight and creates history.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Approaching the final turn as Rostropovich leads with Winx looping around the outside.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Winx sitting fifth as they hit the bend.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
D'argento eads and Benbatl in pursuit. Rostropovich in third and Kings Will Dream has stopped running.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Winx starts well as does D'argento. Benbatl up close as well.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Racing in the Cox Plate.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
The runners are moving in and with only eight, it won't take long.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Humidor and Benbatl are the next two in the betting. Both firming a touch.