Cox Plate 2017: Winx shines in track gallop at Moonee Valley
WINX has returned to scene of her greatest triumph — Moonee Valley — with another familiarisation track gallop which delighted Hugh Bowman.
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WINX has returned to scene of her greatest triumph — Moonee Valley — with another familiarisation track gallop which delighted Hugh Bowman. WATCH THE WORKOUT
The champion mare galloped over 1200m, quickening over the final 600m, ahead of her date with destiny in next week’s Cox Plate.
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Unbeaten in her past 21 starts, Winx will bid to equal Kingston Town’s feat of winning three successive WFA championships. And Bowman is adamant Winx is on target.
“She had her first look at the track since last year’s Cox Plate and she really enjoyed it,” Bowman said. “She had a nice gallop and she’s in very good order.
“It was pretty standard work, building up from the 600m. She felt great. It was solid work.”
Bowman said trainer Chris Waller is considering taking Winx back to the Valley on Tuesday.
Winx is a $1.20 favourite on TAB Fixed Odds for the Cox Plate.
Victory next week would deliver a 15th Group 1 — a haul matched only by Black Caviar.
Look who popped into @TheValley for a morning stroll #Winx3 âï¸ pic.twitter.com/95ccSHZLq1
â Cox Plate Carnival (@CoxPlate) October 16, 2017
With 25 wins from 31 starts, Winx has amassed $13,778,425 in prizemoney. Only triple Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva has earned more — $14,526,685. But, if as expected, Winx collects a $1.8m cheque next week, she will stand alone atop the prizemoney mountain.
Winx last season won her second plate by a record eighth lengths.
In surprise twist, the champion mare has been nominated for the Japan Cup. The Group 1 race over 2400m will be run on November 26. However, Waller indicated it was “highly unlikely” Winx would head to Japan. Coincidently, Bowman will be riding in Japan at the time.
Meantime, trainer Tony McEvoy has confirmed three-year-old colt Royal Symphony will take on Winx in the Cox Plate on Saturday week.
“We go into every race expecting to win it and that’ll be the case again here, but halfway through the race reality might kick in and we’re racing for second,” McEvoy said yesterday.
The trainer said nephew Kerrin McEvoy had the first option of riding Royal Symphony, who will carry only 49.5kg. “Kerrin will let me know either tonight or tomorrow morning,” McEvoy said.
Royal Symphony is TAB’s $18 equal second favourite with Gailo Chop.
Epsom Handicap winner Happy Clapper will also run in the Cox Plate. He is a $21 chance along with Folkswood and Humidor.
It's official, ROYAL SYMPHONY will head to the @CoxPlate! pic.twitter.com/wVN496ih2a
â McEvoy Mitchell R (@mcevoymitchell) October 17, 2017