Winx Easily Wins Second Straight Cox Plate

As if winning 13 straight group stakes was not enough, super mare Winx delivered the most dominating victory of her career Oct. 21 at Moonee Valley when she won the W.S. Cox Plate Stakes (Aus-I)  for a second straight year.

Winx extended her long stride near the 400-meter mark and quickly opened a clear advantage, then the 5-year-old daughter of Street Cry seemed to punch through to another amazing level, drawing off to score by eight lengths in the about 1 1/4-mile race.

The margin of victory is the most decisive in 96 years of the Cox Plate, improving on the seven-length score by Dulcify in 1979 and Sunline in 2000.

Winx becomes the fourth female to win multiple editions of the Cox Plate, joining Sunline, Tranquil Star, and Flight. Winx's combined margin of victory in her two Cox Plate wins is 12 3/4 lengths; her two most decisive wins during her 13-race win streak have both come in the Cox Plate.

After stirring victory, trainer Chris Waller would take no credit. He did say the long-term goal will be a third straight Cox Plate victory.

"She's just a superior racehorse and it's an honor to be a part of it," Bowman told Racing.com. "It's like a dream; as simple as that."

For a few strides in the far turn, three of the top contenders lined up across the course. Godolphin Racing's Hartnell, who entered off an easy win in the Yellowglen Turnbull Stakes (Aus-I), struck first. He was quickly joined by multiple group I winner Black Heart Bart, but Winx also was moving.

After racing wide while confidently ridden by Hugh Bowman, Winx wasted no time making things a three-horse skirmish, but that battle was quickly decided. After a few strides Black Heart Bart and Winx put away Hartnell, and a stride or two later Winx ended any thoughts of a stretch duel when she glided to the lead to trigger a stretch-long celebration. Hartnell held second with Yankee Rose third.

"To ride a horse like this and to come out on to the track prior to the race and have the crowd cheer you on to the track, I was really moved by that," Bowman said. "I had to regather myself when I got down to the start. I've had a bit of an in-and-out afternoon and an in-and-out couple of weeks, but to produce a ride this mare is worthy of today, gives me so much pride."