Moonee Valley ups ante to secure Winx for another Cox Plate with possible $4 million lure

MOONEE Valley Racing Club will “throw everything” into trying to entice triple Cox Plate winner Winx back for a fourth tilt at the fabled race next year.

The Moonee Valley crowd cheers Winx on to victory in the Cox Plate last year. Picture: Colleen Petch

MOONEE Valley Racing Club will “throw everything” into trying to entice triple Cox Plate winner Winx back for a fourth tilt at the Australian weight-for-age championship next year, according to chief executive Michael Browell.

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After an extraordinary day at Moonee Valley where more than 32,000 watched Winx join the legendary Kingston Town as three-time winners of the race, Browell said the club’s attention to soon shift to next year’s race with a boost in prizemoney one of the main priorities in discussions with Racing Victoria.

Browell said the intention is to push for a $4 million Cox Plate next year, with the plan to boost that to $5 million for the 100th running of the race in 2020.

“We think the time has come (for a prizemoney increase), it is 17 years now that it has been $3 million,” Browell said.

“In 1999 the decision was made to put it to $3 million, back when the Cox Plate was a part of the Emirates World Series.

“We will look at getting it to $4 million next year and then work out how we can get it to $5 million for the 100th.

“That’s our aim, that would be huge and the race deserves it.”

Jockey Hugh Bowman and Winx turn for home in the Cox Plate. Picture: AAP

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The Cox Plate, contested for the first time in 1922, will have its 100th running in 2020, because there were two divisions of the race run in 1945.

Racing Victoria spokesman Shaun Kelly said: “Prizemoney for the 2018-19 season will be set in May 2018 as part of our annual budgeting process. Any decisions on future prizemoney will give consideration to the industry as a whole.”

Humidor comes at Winx in a thrilling finale which saw Winx win her third consecutive Cox Plate. Picture: Getty Images

Browell stressed money had never been a compelling factor for Winx’s owners in her three Cox Plate races, but he said the club would love to have the wonder mare back next year.

“We need to throw everything at it,” he said. “If Winx is going to race on next year, we have got to have every opportunity to get her back and do this again.”

“They need to weigh up whether to take her overseas. I am a little torn. I would love to see her win on the international stage, but when you see days like (Saturday), you would love to have her back here next year.

“It doesn’t come any better than this.”

Browell said Moonee Valley, which has produced special memorabilia to celebrate Winx joining Kingston Town as threepeat winners, will look at ways to further honour the mare.

“We will see what we can do,” he said. “We will look at the many ways we can to honour her.”