Champion mare Winx ahead of Cox Plate
WINX FACTS:
* Born – September 14, 2011.
* Sire – Street Cry.
* Dam – Vegas Showgirl.
* Cost – $230,000 at Magic Millions yearling sale.
* Trainer Chris Waller.
* Prizemoney of $7,498,175 with 16 from 22 starts.
WINNING STREAK:
* Started with the Group Three Sunshine Coast Guineas last year.
* Has won 12 consecutive races including eight at Group One level.
* Last beaten in April 2015 by Gust Of Wind in the Australian Oaks.
GROUP ONE WINS:
* 2015 – Queensland Oaks, Epsom Handicap, Cox Plate (race record).
* 2016 – Chipping Norton Stakes, George Ryder Stakes, Doncaster Mile, George Main Stakes, Caulfield Stakes.
JOCKEYS:
* Regular rider Hugh Bowman has ridden Winx for 11 wins and one second.
* Larry Cassidy was aboard for the start of the streak in last year’s Sunshine Coast Guineas.
* James McDonald, Tommy Berry and Jason Collett have also won on her.
HARTNELL COMPETITION:
*John O’Shea-trained Hartnell is the only other runner under double figures for the Cox Plate.
* The six-year-old gelding has won 10 from 26 starts and has reached new heights this preparation.
* Hartnell has been in scintillating form, capturing the Group One Turnbull Stakes at Flemington and the Hill Stakes.
HISTORY REPEATING?
* Winx and Hartnell appear set for a showdown like the 1986 Cox Plate where New Zealand star Bonecrusher engaged in a classic battle to narrowly overcome Our Waverley Star.
* Bonecrusher and Our Waverley Star took off at the 800m mark, going stride-for-stride until the last few metres.
* Bonecrusher, a winner of $3 million prize money, was rated the best horse of his time in Australasia.
* Winx was at $1.85 and Hartnell $3.30 two days out from the Cox Plate, almost a mirror of the starting prices of Bonecrusher who was the $1.90 favourite and Our Waverley Star who was at $4.