Winx makes it 29 on end in G1 Cox Plate, Benbatl brave in defeat

The world champion mare Winx has stretched her winning sequence to 29 with a brilliant victory in Saturday’s G1 WS Cox Plate at Moonee Valley that made her the greatest money-winner in racing history.

The win was a record fourth for Winx in Australia’s richest WFA race and came after she repelled the strong challenge of Godolphin’s Benbatl who finished second.

In a repeat of 2017, Darley stallions sired another Cox Plate trifecta with Winx (Street Cry) finishing two lengths clear of Benbatl (Dubawi) with Humidor (Teofilo) third.

The other Godolphin runner, Avilius, finished fourth.

The win, Winx’s 22nd at G1-level, took her racetrack earnings to almost A$23 million.

For trainer Chris Waller and jockey Hugh Bowman, the win came as a huge relief, and leaves them with a decision to make on the seven-year old’s future.

“It’s pretty special. I can’t say much more, I’m gassed. Lucky the horse has got more petrol than me,” Waller said.

“To see her unleash as she does, I was looking for Humidor to be coming off her back, but she had them covered a long way from home.” 

Bowman said he felt more pressure on Saturday than in any of Winx’s previous 38 runs.

“I’ve really felt it this week, more than I have before,” Bowman said.

“The electricity that came through my body turning into the home straight was something I didn’t just get to feel but hopefully everybody else watching.”

“I’m lost for words. Everybody watching her gets so much pleasure from her, out of her superb ability.  

Benbatl’s trainer Saeed bin Suroor paid tribute to the winner 

“My horse got beaten by a special filly, a superstar,” said Saeed.

“He’s in good shape and we’ll take him back to Dubai and talk to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and he’ll make a decision for the future.

For Godolphin, Cox Plate Day offered more promise than winners, with Aramayo stamping himself a strong prospect in next Saturday’s G1 Victoria Derby when finishing third to Stars Of Carrum in the G2 Moonee Valley Vase.

“He made up a lot of ground, it looked to be a very good Derby trial,” said trainer James Cummings.

In the G2 Crystal Mile, Duca Valentinois showed a returned to form, finishing third to Cliff’s Edge and Prized Icon.