Winx Takes Aim at Cox Plate Three-Peat

The Ladbrokes W. S. Cox Plate Stakes (G1) is normally the highest-class, most-competitive race in Australia. But most eyes are on one horse this season.

Winx, rated the top Thoroughbred on turf by the Longines World's Best Racehorse rankings, comes into the race with a 21-race win streak. The 6-year-old mare will attempt to become the second horse to win the race three times, and she's been so dominant that she's scared off many of the next-best horses in the land.

When the nine-horse field was declared Oct. 24 in Melbourne, the mighty Street Cry mare was a 3-20 favorite and most believe she could join Phar Lap (1931) at 7-100 as the shortest-priced favorite at race time. Some betting agencies are offering odds without Winx in the field for those who don't like a tiny return.

With AU$3,000,000 at stake under weight-for-age conditions at 2,040 meters (about 1 1/4 miles), the Cox Plate is Australia's version of the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1)—and its late-October date is one reason the best Australian horses don't ship from their homeland to North America for Breeders' Cup races.

Trainer Chris Waller hopes he can bring Winx to the Northern Hemisphere in 2018. Royal Ascot is an obvious option, while other tracks are clamoring for her presence. Even the Breeders' Cup was suggested at one point—though she'll only be running anywhere in the Northern Hemisphere if she's at her best.

A number of horses have won the Cox Plate twice in its 95-year history: Phar Lap, Chatham, Young Idea, Beau Vite, Tranquil Star, Flight, Hydrogen, Tobin Bronze, Sunline, Northerly, Fields of Omagh, and So You Think.

Only one, the fabulous early-1980s gelding Kingston Town, won it three times. But few are willing to bet against Winx becoming the second.

In part, it's because the field against her doesn't have great depth. She had eventual multiple grade/group 1 winner Highland Reel to deal with in her first victory, and did it easily. Last year her best opponent was Hartnell, who was again accounted for comfortably.

Two of her opponents this year are from Britain, though neither are in the class of Highland Reel. Godolphin's Folkswood runs after winning the listed TAB Cranbourne Cup; his best effort this year was a close second-place finish to subsequent QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes (G1) winner Decorated Knight in the Jebel Hatta Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1) in Dubai. The other is former Italian runner Kaspersky whose best effort this year came when finishing fifth to Ribchester in the Queen Anne Stakes (G1).

Ladbrokes Caulfield Stakes (G1) winner Gailo Chop and BMW Caulfield Cup (G1) fifth-place finisher Humidor (NZ) head the locals, though both have been well beaten by Winx in the past, as has TAB Epsom Handicap (G1) winner Happy Clapper. 

The 3-year-old Royal Symphony (AUS) was something of a boom horse at the start of the season but ran into traffic problems when finishing fourth in the Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas (G1). Seaburge and Hardham, both at triple-figure odds, complete the field.