Winx draws interstate and overseas racing fans to fill our coffers

MIGHTY mare Winx’s crusade for a third straight Cox Plate triumph has drawn tourists to Melbourne from near and far.

MIGHTY mare Winx’s crusade for a third straight Cox Plate ­triumph has drawn racing fans from near and far.

WINX WOULD BE FORCED TO CARRY MORE THAN 60KG IN MELBOURNE CUP

MOONEE VALLEY PLAN TO INCREASE COX PLATE PRIZEMONEY TO $ $4 MILLION TO LURE WINX

WINX HAS AUSTRALIA’S WEIGHT-FOR-AGE CHAMPIONSHIP ON A PLATE

Moonee Valley Racing Club expects about 4000 people from interstate and overseas to ­attend tomorrow’s big race, a boon for the state’s economy.

Those visitors will have splashed out at least $220,000 on race tickets alone. Their extra spending on meals, transport, accommodation and shopping make Winx a winner for Victoria even if she does not make history.

Lloyd Menz, who sews a Winx patch on his suit every time she wins, will travel from Canberra to watch the race with his daughter, Angela.

Bryce Kellerman with his tattoo of famous racehorse Winx. Picture: Alex Coppel

Winx supporters Lloyd Menz and his daughter, Angela Menz, show their support on Turnbull Stakes Day at Flemington Racecourse. Picture: Getty Images

After seeing Winx race in Sydney and Melbourne, he said he would not miss her shot at a 22nd straight win.

“When Winx started to put together the sequence of wins, I started to get excited because I thought it could be something unique,’’ he said.

“I wanted to do something to show my excitement and share it for the world to see after every win. I’ve got space on my breast pocket ready for tomorrow!’’

Bryce Kellerman loves Winx so much that he now has a tattooed image of her on his thigh.

The Melbourne racing fan endured five hours of pain to have the 25cm high, 10cm wide image inked on him.

“I hate needles more than anything so it was absolutely excruciating for me, but I wanted it so bad I was willing to take the pain,’’ he said.

“I thought it was going to be this little tat that I would be able to hide — but there is no hiding this on half your leg.’’

Winx is taken for a walk by Jo Taylor (stable foreman) and Umut Odmislioglu (strapper) after morning trackwork at Flemington. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Mr Kellerman also has tattoos of former Geelong footballer Billy Brownless and cricketer Michael Klinger, but loves his new Winx work best.

“I might regret it one day but right now, it’s my favourite tattoo,’’ he said.

Sportsbet on Thursday began paying out people who had backed Winx, tipping more than $1.5 million into punters’ pockets two days before the race.

Winx ($1.15) will start the shortest-priced Cox Plate favourite since Phar Lap in 1931.

Victory would see her join Kingston Town as the only ­triple Cox Plate winner, match Black Caviar on 15 Group 1 wins and surpass Makybe Diva’s $14.5 million prize money pool.

The Cox Plate, before a sellout crowd of 32,000, is just part of a wonderful weekend of sport in Melbourne, kicking off with the rugby league World Cup opening clash between Australia and England at AAMI Park tonight.

More than 10,000 people are expected at Moonee Valley tonight for the running of the Manikato Stakes. And the Australian FIM Speedway Grand Prix will be staged before a big crowd at Etihad Stadium ­tomorrow.

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