In becoming just the second three time winner of the Australasian weight-for-age championship Winx notched a 15th Group One win to draw level with former sprinting superstar Black Caviar.
And today’s $1.85 million haul for winning pushes Winx well past Makybe Diva to become the highest stakes earning horse in Southern Hemisphere racing history with an earnings tally of over $15.6 million.
For good measure Winx broke her own track record – shaving four hundredths of a second from the previous fastest ever race run over 2040 metres at Moonee Valley.
A little worse than midfield throughout, Bowman edged the mare outside of runners going down the side and by the time she had turned for home she was level with the leaders.
After racing to the front in the straight Winx was challenged by multiple Group One winner Humidor, but under the urgings of Hugh Bowman she held out that runner for welcomed win.
“It was a big build up and post time couldn’t come quick enough,” a proud Bowman said. “It just means so much to so many people.”
“Look at the crowd today. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“She will go down in history as one of the greatest horses to have ever graced the Australian turf,” Bowman added.
An emotional Chris Waller told reporters after the race he was proud to have trained his champion to another history making success.
“It was pretty close in the end,” Waller said. “But you expect that in a Cox Plate.”
“You don’t expect any horse to win 22 races in a row. I’m so pleased she’s done it for the crowd and also for the horse (to do it for herself).”
“I’m blessed to be in this position. Life has plenty of ups and downs and I have a couple of friends doing it pretty tough at the moment, so this is very special.”
“This is what sport is about and well done for Australia for putting it on,” Waller added.
Winx was purchased by Magic Bloodstock at the 2013 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $230,000 – a daughter of influential international sire Street Cry.
She is from the triple stakes winning Al Akbar mare Vegas Showgirl – herself purchased off the track as a breeding prospect at the National Broodmare Sale for Fairway Thoroughbreds.
Winx is raced by Magic Bloodstock’s Peter Tighe in partnership with Debbie Kepitis and Richard Treweeke. She was bred by the Camilleri family of Fairway Thoroughbreds.
While she was the clear highlight of the day – Winx wasn’t the only Magic Millions graduate to taste success at Moonee Valley’s biggest meeting.
Three others were winners – Gun Case, Eptimum and Lucky Hussler – all starring at the famous meeting.
Eptimum and Lucky Hussler were both group winners on the day, winning the Red Anchor Stakes and Crystal Mile respectively.
Gold Coast trained Eptimum will be set for the $10 million Magic Millions Raceday on January 13 after stretching his winning run to three in his Group Three feature for Toby Edmonds.
The son of Snitzel was purchased by Edmonds from the draft of Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm at the 2016 Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Later in the afternoon Darren Weir saddled up proven Group One winner Lucky Hussler to win the Group Two Crystal Mile – his 10th win and pushing earnings past $2.13 million.
Lucky Hussler (Husson) was a Valley View Heights Management purchase from Monarch Stud at the 2011 Gold Coast Yearling Sale. For good measure the other MM graduate in the race, Religify was second.
Winner: Winx
Breeding: Street Cry-Vegas Showgirl (Al Akbar)
Race: MVRC WS Cox Plate G1 (2040m)
Sold for: $230,000
Sale: 2013 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Coolmore Stud (As Agent)
Buyer: Magic Bloodstock
Earnings: $15,627,930
Owner(s): Magic Bloodstock Racing (Mgr: PG Tighe), RG Treweeke & Mrs DN Kepitis
Trainer: Chris Waller (Flemington)
