2017 Cox Plate in review – Winx shines and Oliver’s outed

Cox Plate recap

THE 2017 Cox Plate didn’t fail to disappoint on Saturday, but now that the dust has settled, we look at the defining moments of the race.

Winx was superb in winning her third consecutive Cox Plate and despite being pushed by Humidor late in the race, it always looked to have the New Zealand runner in check.

The Chris Waller-trained champion wasn’t given the best ride from Hugh Bowman, who chose to sit three/four wide for most of the trip, but Winx hit the lead approaching the turn and kicked a length clear.

Humidor got close to the great mare and it looked as though he would get the better of Winx halfway down the straight, but it wanted to lay in (as usual) which ultimately cost it a chance of causing the biggest upset in recent history.

The day belonged to Winx, however, which equalled the record of three consecutive Cox Plates held by Kingston Town and who knows, she might be back in 2018 for a tilt at a fourth consecutive Cox win.

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Will Winx run in the 2018 Cox Plate?

Punters are wanting to know if Winx will be set for a record-setting fourth Cox Plate, but the early signs are not good.

The connections are wanting to take Winx overseas, which wouldn’t necessarily put its Cox Plate plans to bed, but it would make it harder to see her returning to Moonee Valley in October.

Winx is currently $3.50 at Sportsbet.com.au to win the 2018 Cox Plate, but it’s not getting any younger and we’re predicting the opposition will be a little stiffer next season.

It’s also paying $3.50 to win at Royal Ascot in 2018. European middle distance form is much stronger than in Australia so that will be a big test, but we’re confident the mighty mare could take them on and win.

The $3.50 at Sportsbet will likely drop considerably if Chris Waller announces his plans to take on the best of the British in the coming months.

Damien Oliver misses the ride on Almandin

Just what exactly was Damien Oliver thinking?

Oliver was slapped with a 20-day suspension for his ride on Happy Clapper in the Cox Plate and it’s one of the dumbest acts we’ve seen over the course of his career – and that’s saying something!

Not adverse to doing something that puts his career in doubt, Oliver was charged with improper riding on Happy Clapper as he did everything in his power to put Royal Symphony in a dangerous position.

What Oliver’s intentions were are not known, but why he picked on Royal Symphony is anyone’s guess. The three-year-old did extremely well to finish fourth and after a lengthy campaign, the Tony McEvoy-trained colt deserves a break.

Oliver will miss the ride on Almandin in the 2017 Melbourne Cup, which means one lucky jockey will get to ride the current $6.50 favourite with Neds.com.au.

Our pick is Kerrin McEvoy, providing he’s not contracted to ride anything else, but it should make for an interesting decision.

The internationals need to bring their best

The international runners in the Cox Plate didn’t get close to Winx and despite their dominance in the Cups, they need to bring better for the Cox Plate.

There’s $3.5 million up for grabs, so why not bring over your best middle distance horses at the end of their autumn campaigns?

It is a long way to come for a hit-and-run mission, but the likes of Folkswood were never going to be able to defeat the champ and both Winx and Humidor put lengths on the rest of the field.

Australian fans don’t get to see the best Europe, Japan and Hong Kong has to offer, so the Melbourne Racing Club needs to do a better job of enticing the best international interest to run in the Cox Plate, because we’re not happy seeing 4000m thoroughbreds running in our best weight-for-age race.

It would be great to see Highland Reel back in Australia after its placing in 2015. The Aidan O’Brien-trained runner, prior to Saturday, had won more prize money than Winx since their clash in 2015, and it has no doubt strengthened up since.

The two could meet in the Japan Cup where Winx is currently the short favourite at $2 with Highland Reel a value pick at $10 with CrownBet.com.au.

2018 Cox Plate finishing order

1st – Winx
2nd – Humidor
3rd – Folkswood
4th – Royal Symphony
5th – Gailo Chop
6th – Happy Clapper
7th – Seaburge
8th – Hardham

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