Winx can only be beaten by bad luck or the next racing champion, says Chris Waller

WINX trainer Chris Waller declared the rest of the Cox Plate field will need plenty to go their way if they are to get in the way of his superior super mare claiming an historic fourth-straight title.

ONLY bad luck or a champion will beat Winx in the Cox Plate, according to the man who knows her best.

The super mare is “absolutely perfect” following a track gallop at Moonee Valley this morning, with trainer Chris Waller declaring that the rest of the field – which will be finalised shortly – will need plenty to go their way if they are to get in the way of an historic fourth-straight title.

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“There’s obviously respect for the Cox Plate and how hard it is each and every year,” Waller said of what is expected to be a small field confirmed this morning.

“And then you’ve got a horse like Winx in there – it does make it a bit harder for the horses that could be seen as making up the numbers.

“From our perspective, the smaller the better. Realistically, only two things can beat her. That’s bad luck or a champion.

Moonee Valley trackwork with Winx, before Saturday's 2018 Cox Plate. Picture: Alex Coppel

“The next champion could be waiting there in the wings ready to pounce on her, but if you get a reasonable-sized field, not too big, not too much traffic is a positive … because like any sport, you need the bounce of the ball to go your way to some degree.

“Fortunately her class gets her out of a lot of situations, but we never take it for granted.

“She is a superior athlete and probably has 10 per cent on her rivals.”

Winx will jump from barrier six against seven rivals after Moonee Valley Racing Club officials chose to exclude Trap For Fools from the $5 million weight-for-age championship.

She is TAB $1.25 favourite ahead of Godolphin’s Caulfield Stakes winner Benbatl ($8.50).

Jockey Hugh Bowman put Winx through her paces at The Valley’s Breakfast with the Best this morning, starting where Saturday’s race will begin with a trot, then a canter and then a speedy final straight past hundreds that had gathered for a first-hand look at the champion.

And there was one sign in particular that pleased Waller.

Winx is looking to win her fourth straight Cox Plate

“Hugh just gave the customary smile that he does, and that’s good enough for me,” Waller said.

Compared with last year’s victorious campaign, all signs are positive.

“Tracking in comparison to last year, her weight’s good, her blood’s good and most importantly, she’s well,” he said.

“So we haven’t been able to fault any stage of her preparation, right from her time where she had a holiday … her pre-training right up to her first run has been as we would have hoped. And she’s here, four days out from her fourth Cox Plate, and I wouldn’t have changed anything. She’s absolutely perfect.”

It's time... #CoxPlate #GoWinx https://t.co/RGO0MwmWVN pic.twitter.com/MdH1X0zmIX

— Lauren Wood (@LaurenHeraldSun) October 22, 2018

Godolphin’s raider Benbatl is considered to be one of Winx’s closest challengers on Saturday but Waller said the British stallion will need to bring plenty to the table.

“He’s obviously a good benchmark horse, which you have to be at your best to beat, but obviously he has to go to another level to beat her,” he said.

Waller and his team avoid getting “too caught up” in any race, he said, and avoid any fuss.

He said Winx could just about train herself for this race, so used to the routine is the mare.

“It’s just us just putting the brakes on and making sure she’s not overdoing things and making sure we’re carefully managing her,” he said.

The mighty mare #Winx doing what she does best at The Valley this morning.

Cox Plate barrier draw live here: https://t.co/kFUYmsdLSc pic.twitter.com/GwYtMfKiO9

— Herald Sun Sport (@heraldsunsport) October 22, 2018

“If you left it up to Winx, she might run every week. We’re just looking after her the best we can and I think that’s been a big part of her longevity.”

Waller doesn’t ignore himself or his crucial racing team when it comes to performance, saying their wellbeing had also been a focus in the lead-up to the race.

“(I’ve been) looking after myself the best I can. Sleep is important, and not stressing and worrying about things that are out of your control,” he said.

“Just having good people around me and I’m making sure that they’re happy and not under too much pressure, either. If we can go to the races enjoying the race, knowing that we’ve prepared her to our best possible ability, and I’ve done everything I can, then I sleep well at night.

“What will be will be.”

COX PLATE (2040m)

The Valley, Saturday

1. Benbatl (Saeed bin Suroor) O Murphy (3) 59kg

2. Humidor (Darren Weir) D Lane (7) 59kg

3. Kings Will Dream (Darren Weir) J Allen (4) 59kg

4. Avilius (James Cummings) G Schofield (1) 59kg

5. D’Argento (Chris Waller) K McEvoy (2) 57.5kg

6. Winx (Chris Waller) H Bowman (6) 57kg

7. Rostropovich (Aidan O’Brien) R Moore (8) 56kg

8. Savvy Coup (Michael & Matthew Pitman) C Johnson (5) 55.5kg