Cox Plate 2018: History made as super Winx claims fourth crown
A RELIEVED Hugh Bowman has admitted he was lost for words after Winx’s dominant fourth Cox Plate victory, but spoke of the “electricity that came through my body” turning for home on the great mare.
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THE Cox Plate plot, with its inevitable conclusion, had been set for months. Perhaps years.
As Aidan O’Brien’s team declared, Winx had to do little more than turn up, canter to the 2040m barriers, turn around and come back.
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That was the theory. But racing is never quite so simple with its nuance, theatre and shade.
And in the interminable race-day lead-up to Winx’s coronation march at The Valley, there was a twist.
The track seemingly favoured on-pacers — not terminally so, but sufficiently — casting an unexpected new dimension into Winx’s challenge.
Hugh Bowman and his rival jockeys were aware of it but, in the 123 seconds it took for Winx to edge higher into racing’s pantheon, the wonder mare rendered track pattern — and everything else — redundant.
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Pick up your Sunday Herald Sun tomorrow for your 24-page commemorative liftout that will tell the remarkable story of the mare that captured the heart of a nation.
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And in the two minutes and three seconds where Australian sport stood still, consumed with Winx’s piston-fire stride, she again proved why she is such a phenomenon.
SUPER HORSE: 29 THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT WINX
Bowman, whose icy demeanour camouflaged inner fears, delivered the perfect steer.
The ride was not as arrogant as 2016 or ’17 but there was still two lengths on the line to spare from the courageous Benbatl ($10) and Humidor ($21).
It was clinical and measured. Typical of Winx, typical of Bowman. It was a performance packed with professionalism.
Only when it was over did Bowman — the boy from the bush made good — allow emotion to override execution.
“I’m just so proud of the horse,” he said.
“I can’t believe it. I really thought in the build up to this that I’d get quite emotional.
“I am feeling emotional but the electricity that came through my body when I turned into the home straight just then was something that I guess I only get to feel, but everyone watching, I’m lost for words, but everyone watching gets so much joy and pleasure out of the superb ability of this wonderful horse
“The fact she’s been able to do so many times consecutively just speaks volumes for the management of her. I’m just so proud to be a part of this story.”
In the aftermath of most majors, there are hard-luck stories, claims of excuses.
This time, as Winx boosted earnings to a record $22,934,924 with her 29th successive win, 22nd Group 1 and fourth Cox Plate, there was none.
Instead, there was awe from hardened international combatants such as Ryan Moore (Rostropovich) and Oisin Murphy (Benbatl).
Locals including Damien Oliver and Brent Thompson, with six Cox Plates between them, were gobsmacked as they watched from the stewards’ tower.
Bowman’s adversaries had schemed to bring about Winx’s downfall by meandering through the opening half of the race before rushing home, intent on catching Bowman out.
They had hoped for a miracle. It was never likely.
HISTORY. 🙌#Winx wins her 4th consecutive Cox Plate. A privilege to witness. #GoWinx pic.twitter.com/UPVktwmyRR
— 7HorseRacing 🎠(@7horseracing) October 27, 2018
When Bowman popped out four-wide approaching the 800m as Rostropovich and D’Argento led, the race was over as she idled to within striking distance.
When Bowman let Winx loose at the 400m, asking questions no other horse could answer, she dropped a hammer blow with a withering burst.
She then put Benbatl to the sword, snuffing out the raider’s challenge with a 11.99sec final 200m.
Watching from the scales area, Waller struggled to reconcile what had unfolded.
“I will probably take that with me for the rest of my life,” Waller said.
“It’s what gets me emotional.
“Such a special place to be, and to win four Cox Plates I haven’t even thought about it, let alone today.
“It is pretty surreal, we have just treated it like another race, but obviously it is bigger.”
Saeed bin Suroor beamed with pride over Benbatl’s brave run.
What a ride that was from @HugeBowman!
— 7HorseRacing 🎠(@7horseracing) October 27, 2018
Chris Symons talks with the champion jockey after that history-making performance. #GoWinx pic.twitter.com/jnwwQmODB8
“Winx is a superstar, the best of the best,” bin Suroor said.
“Benbatl ran a good race but she is something special.”
Asked if Winx was the greatest, Waller demurred.
“You just can’t upset people by saying that, but she is the greatest I will have anything to do with,” he said.
As to the future, Waller and owners Peter Tighe, Debbie Kepitis and Richard Treweeke are expected to let Winx continue into the autumn and possibly beyond.
“There will be no major announcement today,” Waller said.
“Next week, we will go home and assess the horse as we have done and talk to our vets and go over her so meticulously, tendons, bones, joints, bone density, you name it.
“A lot of things to consider, but we will enjoy today.”
And so did the 38,035 on hand to witness history on an occasion Australian sport probably will likely never witness again.
WHERE THEY FINISHED
1 WINX
2 BENBATL
3 HUMIDOR
4 AVILIUS
5 ROSTROPOVICH
6 D’ARGENTO
7 SAVVY COUP
FF KINGS WILL DREAM
RACE DIVIDENDS
6 Winx $1.20 $1
1 Benbatl $1.70
2 Humidor $1.90
Quinella: $3.20
Exacta: $3.70
Trifecta: $21.80
First 4: (6 1 2 4) $44.60
All Started.
It was the largest amount that the TAB had ever held on Winx in her 29 wins, with $3,104,517 taken on the mare for the race.
In comparison, Winx’s first Cox Plate saw the TAB hold $724,101.
Part-owner Debbie Kepitis said: “I’ve never had a feeling like this. I had three beautiful daughters and I thought that was euphoria. This is very similar.”
“It’s very similar to that. But what an astounding mare we have got. Four Cox Plates! Four in a row! Year after year! From that amazing magical man that gets her here year after year without Chris’s great work she wouldn’t get here.”
TOP 10 PRIZEMONEY WINNERS IN WORLD RACING
1 Arrogate (US) $24,508,822 (AUD)
2. WINX (Aus) $22,884,924
3. Gentildonna (Japan) $22,586,173
4. Orfevre (Japan) $22,566,752
5. Kitasan Black (Japan) $21,056,321
6. Gun Runner (US) $19,600,000
7. California Chrome (US) $19,293,228
8. Buena Vista (Japan) $17,259,889
9. T M Opera O (Japan) $17,257,935
10. Gold Ship (Japan) $16,202,761
BIN SUROOR: ‘WE WERE BEATEN BY A SUPERSTAR’
By Michael Manley
A WEEK ago Saeed bin Suroor was the focus of attention after Best Solution had won the Caulfield Cup but on Saturday he had to play second fiddle to a moment in racing history.
Bin Suroor went to great lengths to acknowledge the greatness of Winx on Saturday but his disappointment was palpable after his galloper Benbatl finished second to her.
Bin Suroor suggested that the track was too firm and Benbatl may have provided a greater challenge on a softer surface.
“We came here thinking we could win but when we saw the ground it was too much for him. My horse needs easy ground to show his class,” Bin Suroor said.
Bin Suroor said he spoke to Benbatl’s jockey Oisin Murphy and he confirmed that opinion.
“I asked Oisin whether he gave him the same feeling as when he won in Dubai and he said no.”
“That’s no excuse though. In the finish he got beaten by a superstar. She’s something special.”
Godolphin identified Benbatl as the perfect horse to take on Winx in the Cox Plate when he won the Dubai Turf in March.
“If we get the right horse we’ll be back. Whether it’s him again we’ll see.”
Benbatl tried to take the race up to Winx when the pair sprinted together on the turn but he was left in her wake going down by two lengths but he had the rest of the field covered as Humidor was two and three quarter lengths away.
Godolphin’s representative Jim McGrath said Benbatl was beaten by “a once in a million horse.”
“It was a great effort by our horse but he was beaten by one of the modern day greats,” McGrath said.
“No horse can win that number of races consecutively and be so consistent at the highest level. It’s absolutely incredible and a credit to the trainer and all involved.”
“It’s a privilege to have run second to her.”
Darren Weir said Humidor ran a great race.
“It wasn’t his day. He ran well but chased home a superstar,” Weir said.
Weir’s Warrnambool stable foreman Jarrod McLean said Humidor ran as well as he could.
“Maybe he’ll be back next year and she won’t be,” McLean said.
TAB BIG BESTS
RACE ONE
The money throughout the day suggested Espaaniyah ($3.70-$3.20-$3.70) would be the one to beat and that’s exactly how it panned out.
The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained runner was nearly twice as popular as anything else in the race, attracting a number of big bets just before the jump.
Beginning quickly to lead, jockey Tim Clark rated the daughter of I Am Invincible to perfection in beating Biscara ($3.80-$4.60) which trailed it throughout. Salome ($18) ran on to fill the minor end of the prize.
It was a terrible result for TAB as Espaaniyah held nearly 40 percent of the total investment.
BETS: Espaaniyah $10,000 @ $3.80, $20,000 @ $3.70, $10,000 @ $3.40
BETS: Biscara $2300 @ $4.20
BETS: True Serendipity $5000 @ $6.50
BETS: Wedgetail $2,000 @ $5
RACE TWO
Ashlor stopped the big move for Desert Lashes when it proved too tough in the Strathmore Community Bendigo Bank Handicap (955m).
Desert Lashes had been supported from $6.50 in the morning into as low as $3.80 before starting a $4.80 second pick behind Invincible Al ($4.60).
Ashlor ($8.50-$11-$10) sat outside Desert Lashes for most of the trip and the pair settled down to fight out the finish, with Ashlor just getting the head in front in the shadows of the post.
Invincible Al ran third just in front of Thermal Current ($6.50).
Of the others, there was a late go for Nasdex which went from $6.50 to $8.50 before starting a $7 shot.
BETS: Desert Lashes $5000 @ $4.80
BETS: Nasdex $4500 @ $7, $4000 @ $7
RACE THREE
Favourite backers were sent packing when Savatiano was very disappointing in the Powerflo Solutions Stakes (1600m).
Sitting close to the speed throughout for Kerrin McEvoy, Savatiano failed to let down when presented and finished nearer last than first.
Shoko made it three straight leaders to get the money and landed a handy betting move, firming from $16 in the morning to $9.
Mamzelle Tess ($21-$16), which trailed the winner, was second while Princess Posh ($9) found the line nicely for third.
BETS: Savatiano $4500 @ $2, $4000 @ $2, $2000 @ $2 MULTIPLE TIMES
RACE FOUR
Beauty, which attracted some good eachway money, proved best in a tight finish to the Harrolds Crockett Stakes (1200m).
Ridden a treat by Luke Currie, he timed his run to perfection to beat the leader Rainbow Girl ($6-$4.60-$5.50) and Illuminaire ($19).
Beauty had been as much as $18 earlier in the week. The fourth placegetter, Into The Abyss ($5-$4.40-$4.80), was the best tried in the race with a third of all investments riding on her.
BETS: Assertive Play $2000 @ $5, $1500 @ $5, $3000 @ $4
BETS: Into The Abyss $2000 x $1,000 e/w @ $4.80/$1.85, $2500 @ $4.60, $2000 @ $4.40, $1500 @ $4.40
BETS: Rainbow Girl $2000 e/w @ $5.50/$2
RACE FIVE
Charge had some good backing and landed some nice bets when leading throughout to win the Australia Stakes (1200m).
The Chris Waller and Hugh Bowman-trained runner was backed from $13 in the morning to start a $8 chance, the colt was too tough for Sunset Watch ($4-$5) in a tight finish. Ringerdingding ($13) was the eye-catcher as it flashed home from the second half of the field for third.
Of the unplaced brigade, Spin ($5) started equal favourite with Sunset Watch but couldn’t get into the race after being back in the pack. He was the most popular runner in terms of money held.
Bleu Roche ($12-$9-$10), which ended up fourth, attracted some good eachway investments also.
BETS: Charge $5000 @ $9.50, $2500 @ $9
BETS: Spin $5000 @ $5
RACE SIX
Mystic Journey was confidently backed to win the Aquis Farm Fillies Classic (1600m) and did the right thing by her backers.
The Adam Trinder-trained runner was easily the best tried in the race, holding 26 percent of the total investment.
Forced to sit three-wide the trip, jockey Anthony Darmanin didn’t panic with Mystic Journey cruising up to the leader Fundamentalist on straightening before putting her rivals away in fine style.
Fundamentalist ($9) wound up second while El Dorado Dreaming ($5-$6) grabbed third in front of Krone.
Outside the winner, El Dorado Dreaming was the most popular runner in front of Fundamentalist and also Pierro Belle ($10).
BETS: Mystic Journey $6000 @ $3.30
BETS: Pierro Belle $5000 @ $10
BETS: Blonde Disposition $2000 x $3000 e/w @ $26/$6
RACE SEVEN
Darren Weir delivered a hammer blow to the TAB courtesy of Cliff’s Edge in the Schweppes Crystal Mile (1600m).
The talented entire was heavily supported throughout the day, firming from $3.40 in the morning to start a $2.80 favourite.
Sitting outside the leader and one-time favourite Siege Of Quebec, Cliff’s Edge proved too strong in beating Prized Icon ($13-$10) which was very popular with eachway punters.
Duca Valentinois ($34) was third just in front of Siege Of Quebec ($3.30-$3) which was best tried to beat the winner.
Such was the popularity of the winner that it held over half the total investment.
BETS: Cliff’s Edge $1000 @ $3.40, $1000 @ $3.20, $8000 @ $2.80, $5000 @ $2.80, $4000 @ $2.80, $2000 @ $2.80
BETS: Siege Of Quebec $7000 @ $4, $6000 @ $3.30
BETS: Snoano $1000 @ $151
RACE EIGHT
The move for Ventura Storm was spot in the McCafe Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m).
TAB had him at $17 on Wednesday and after good specking, was still $11 this morning. Constant support saw the gelding start a $5.50 second favourite behind The Taj Mahal.
Benefitting from a good run behind the leader Trap For Fools ($10), jockey Mark Zahra peeled around the heels of the leaders turning for home and finished a bit too strong for the leader, with Libran ($13) close up in third in front of the always popular Who Shot Thebarman ($21).
The Taj Mahal was backed in from $5 this morning to start $3.80 while there was also a long range move for Prize Money ($34-$11-$13).
BETS: Ventura Storm $2000 @ $7
BETS: Egg Tart $5000 @ $10
BETS: Who Shot Thebarman $2000 x $3000 e/w @ $17/$5
RACE NINE — COX PLATE
Winx made history and landed some big bets in the process by taking out her fourth consecutive Cox Plate.
The champion mare got out to $1.25 at the jump after being $1.22 in the morning and bottoming out at $1.20 during the week.
It was one of the highest holds on Winx as punters wanted a piece of her, no matter the price.
Her biggest fan from a punting perspective once again turned up and had a huge bet of $201,200 @ $1.22 on her - the largest investment on her ever at TAB.
The Chris Waller runner tracked Benbatl into the race and then Hugh Bowman let her rip approaching the final bend, with the daughter of Street Cry racing clear to beat Benbatl ($7.50-$10).
Humidor ($23) rattled home for third in front of Avilius ($31).
Despite being a hot price once again, Winx was more than 10 times as popular as Benbatl with the hold on her accounting for 84 percent of the total investment.
BETS: Winx $35,319 @ $1.25, $20,000 @ $1.25, $10,000 @ $1.25, $201,200 @ $1.22*, $100,000 @ $1.22 TWICE, $71,200 @ $1.22, $30,000 @ $1.22, $10,000 @ $1.22 MULTIPLE TIMES
*Biggest ever bet on Winx with TAB
TAB’s biggest bets on Winx
$201,200 @ $1.22 – 2018 Cox Plate
$170,000 @ $1.16 – 2018 Turnbull Stakes
$160,000 @ $1.10 – 2018 Turnbull Stakes
$155,000 @ $1.10 – 2018 George Main Stakes
$140,000 @ $1.12 – 2018 Winx Stakes
RACE 10
All the big money was with Aramayo and Savoie, however, it was Stars Of Carrum ($51) which provided a rough end to Cox Plate Day.
The Robbie Laing-trained runner arrived right on time to beat Savoie in a bobbing finish, with the heavily support Aramayo running on for third after sitting in the second half of the field.
Aramayo ($3.40-$2.90) was nearly five times as popular as Savoie ($4) and was responsible for nearly half of the market.
BETS: Aramayo $5000 @ $3 MULTIPLE TIMES, $10,000 @ $2.90, $4000 @ $2.90
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