Cox Plate barrier draw 2016: Winx impresses in Breakfast With The Best gallop
UPDATE: DEFENDING champion Winx looks set to get an ideal run in Saturday’s Cox Plate after choosing gate three at this morning’s barrier draw. SEE THE FIELD, BARRIERS
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COX Plate favourite Winx looks set to get things in her favour as she attempts to back to back in the Cox Plate, drawing barrier three for Australia’s weight-for-age championship at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
Winx’s trainer Chris Waller had wanted barrier four however that gate was chosen after rival runner Happy Clapper’s connections selected that barrier after being called out first.
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Winx’s owner Peter Tighe then choose barrier three.
Second favourite Hartnell will start from barrier seven in the 10-horse field.
Winx’s jockey Hugh Bowman said after the barrier draw he would work out his riding tactics later in the week as he was expecting a more tactical Cox Plate this year given the absence of The Cleaner.
Punters reacted to Winx’s favourable draw, with the 2015 champ firming from $2.00 into $1.90 while Hartnell drifted from $2.80 to $3.00 after drawing barrier seven.
In their head-to-head battle, Winx leads Hartnell 3-0 — including a 10-length margin in last year’s Cox Plate when Winx was a runaway winner.
But this spring Hartell has returned a far superior horse, with Saturday’s race being billed as a thrilling joust between the two standout horses in the country.
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BREAKFAST WITH THE BEST
EARLIER today Winx kicked off Breakfast With The Best with a leisurely gallop at Moonee Valley.
The superstar mare was basically having a look and see as she strolled around the course in front of 500 fans. Winx galloped over 1600m.
Trainer Chris Waller wasn’t certain whether he was going to take her to Moonee Valley — only deciding to take last year’s winner to the track on Monday afternoon — as Winx had enjoyed a fast gallop at the Valley last Tuesday.
But the trainer was happy with the defending champion’s work.
Winx headed out on track now. Rain falling but the mighty mare brightens things up @CoxPlate. @theheraldsun @superracing pic.twitter.com/MnWxIwBi0M
— Glenn McFarlane (@MaccaHeraldSun) October 17, 2016
“It was just a quiet workout. Just to let her stretch her legs,” Waller said of the short-priced favourite.
“She is going well. We’re just keeping the engine running without burning it out.”
Jockey Hugh Bowman said Winx “just rolled around” and felt great ahead of Saturday’s 2040m weight-for-age championship.
“She’s impressive. Improved since Caulfield,” he said
All focus on #Winx flashing by @TheValley this am ðŸ‡ðŸ’¨ pic.twitter.com/Te1jgY3Ij0
— Jo McKinnon (@Jo_McKinnon) October 17, 2016
Meanwhile, Dean Yendall and trainer David Van Dyke were happy with the work of star three-year-old filly Yankee Rose.
“She just did two laps cantering. She felt enormous like she did on Saturday,” Yendall said.
Van Dyke said Yankee Rose handled the Melbourne way of going without any problems.
MANIKATO STAKES
Superstar sprinter Chautauqua has drawn barrier one for Friday night’s Manikato Stakes which he is aiming to win for a second year in a row.
Managing owner Rupert Legh said barrier one wouldn’t matter as the sprinter would go back anyway.
Jockey Dwayne Dunn said he’d get on with trying to win the race.
“That’s the card that has been dealt to us ... we’ve got to do the best we can.”
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