Mighty mare Winx poised to reach summit in world rankings

THE STATS: WINX’S standing as the world’s best horse — unquestioned status in Australia even before her stunning second Cox Plate triumph — will be formalised early next month.

Hugh Bowman and Winx create history by recording the greatest winning margin in a Cox Plate. Picture: Nicole Garmston

WINX’s standing as the world’s best horse — unquestioned status in Australia even before her stunning second Cox Plate triumph — will be formalised early next month as Hartnell’s grip on Melbourne Cup favouritism eased.

The major fallout from Saturday’s astonishing Moonee Valley showdown concerned the Cox Plate’s two most significant players — Winx and Hartnell.

Currently ranked equal fourth behind California Chrome with a rating of 127, Winx will officially move to the top of the Longines standings on November 10.

Racing Victoria’s Greg Carpenter said: “For all those asking, Winx without doubt has run past her high mark of 127.”

Hugh Bowman gives his girl at kiss. Picture: David Crosling

As Winx joined some of racing’s most illustrious figures — Phar Lap, Kingston Town, Sunline, Northerly and So You Think — as multiple Cox Plate winners, Hartnell’s Cup stranglehold waned.

A courageous, distant second, Hartnell eased from $4.60-$5 for the Cup ahead of Caulfield Cup winner Jameka ($6) as trainer John O’Shea said: “Way too good, she (Winx) is an out-and-out champion.”

Watched by 26,008 spectators, Winx was the standout performer on a day of intriguing subplots.

HOW SUPER WINX BECAME A RACING LEGEND

PLACEGETTERS: ONE STRIDE AND ALL OVER FOR HARTNELL

FINISHING ORDER: WHAT THE JOCKEYS SAID + RATINGS

REACTION: WHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING ABOUT WINX

Nurse Kitchen provided the first leg of a running double for Kerrin McEvoy, who piloted The United States to emphatic victory in the Group 2 Schweppes Crystal Mile.

The United States, winner of last season’s Moonee Valley Cup (2500m), might now be set for the Mackinnon Stakes with a long-range target of contesting the Longines International meeting in Hong Kong.

Nick Hall was clearly relieved after stewards gave him the benefit of the doubt after reviewing two incidents involving his mount, Pure Emotion, in the Listed Inglis Banner (1000m).

Hall is booked to ride Jameka in the Melboure Cup and a suspension would have jeopardised his bid to potentially create history with Ciaron Maher’s mare.

MV CUP/CRYSTAL MILE: CUP BACK ON FOR WALLER PAIR

Jameka is bidding to become the first horse to complete the VRC Oaks, Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup treble.

Stewards also fined Hugh Bowman $400 for failing to ride out Lady Le Fay in the Group 3 Merlin Garage Stakes.

Cox Plate Day. Race 9. Cox Plate. Winning jockey Hugh Bowman embraces Debbie Kepitis who is a part owner of Winx who won easily. Picture: Ian Currie

HONOUR ROLL

2015 WINX 2:02.98 800m 47.00, Last 600m 35.20, 400m 23.94, 200m 12.33 (Track: Good 4)

2014 ADELAIDE 2:03.76 800m 47.65, Last 600m 36.16, 400m 24.85, 200m 12.76 (Track: Good 3)

2013 SHAMUS AWARD 2:05.27 Last 600m 36.18 (Track: Good 3)

2012 OCEAN PARK 2:04.14 Last 600m 36.86 (Track: Good 4)

2011 PINKER PINKER 2:05.39 Last 600m 36.62 (Track: Good 4)

2010 SO YOU THINK 2:07.45 Last 600m 34.92 (Track: Good 4)

2009 SO YOU THINK 2:03.98 Last 600m 35.31 (Track: Good 3)

2008 MALDIVIAN 2:06.92 Last 600m 34.20 (Track: Good 3)

2007 EL SEGUNDO 2:06.33 Last 600m 34.13 (Track: Good 3)

2006 FIELDS OF OMAGH 2:06.89 Last 600m 35.59 (Track: Good 3)

Hugh Bowman and Winx create history by recording the greatest winning margin in a Cox Plate. Picture: Getty Images

MOONEE VALLEY COX PLATE, GROUP 1 (2040m)

OCTOBER 22, 2016

1st — Winx

Street Cry-Vegas Showgirl

2nd — Hartnell

3rd — Yankee Rose

Margin: 1 length x 2 lengths

Group 1s: 8

Trainer: Chris Waller

Jockey: Hugh Bowman

Starts: 23: 17-3-0

Hugh Bowman and Winx greet the fans on their returns to scale. Picture: Getty Images

BIG BUCKS

Our top prizemoney earners (Australian and New Zealand horses).

Pos Horse Prizemoney

1 Makybe Diva $14,526,690

2 Sunline (NZ) $11,351,610

3 Northerly $9,341,850

4 Winx* $9,295,425

5 So You Think (NZ) $8,813,497

6 Black Caviar $7,953,936

7 Buffering* $7,300,194

8 Criterion $7,268,865

9 Chautauqua* $6,579,435

10 Fields Of Omagh $6,496,240

* Still racing.

THE GREATS

Multiple winners of the Cox Plate.

Kingston Town: 1980-82

Winx: 2015-16

So You Think: 2009-10

Fields Of Omagh: 2003, ’06

Northerly: 2001-02

Sunline: 1999-2000

Tobin Bronze: 1966-67

Hydrogen: 1952-53

Flight: 1945-46

Tranquil Star: 1942, ’44

Beau Vite: 1940-41

Young Idea: 1936-37

Chatham: 1932, ’34

Phar Lap: 1930-31

An emotional Hugh Bowman celebrates as Winx crosses the finish line. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Originally published as Mighty mare Winx poised to reach summit in world rankings