Winx trainer Peter Moody says super mare ‘unbeatable’ in 2016 Cox Plate

AUSTRALIA’S most popular horse Winx is a certainty to make it back-to-back Cox Plate wins on Saturday, trainer Peter Moody says.

Winx works out at Moonee Valley during this morning’s Breakfast with the Best event ahead of the Cox Plate. Picture: Getty Images

WINX is “unbeatable” in Saturday’s $3 million Cox Plate, according to Peter Moody, who has urged the mighty mare’s owners to enjoy the ride and not be burdened by the pressure of having the country’s most popular horse.

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Moody can talk from experience, having trained world champion sprinter Black Caviar to 25 unbeaten runs, as the pressure increased with each run.

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Winx has won 16 of her 22 career starts, including the past 12, and Moody insists last year’s Cox Plate winner is a certainty to make it back-to-back wins in Australia’s weight-for-age classic.

Winx claimed barrier three during Breakfast with the Best at Moonee Valley this morning. Picture: Ian Currie

“She’s unbeatable,” the former horse trainer said today after Winx had her last look at the Valley before Saturday’s race.

Moody spoke with one of Winx’s principal owners, Peter Tighe, at Caulfield a fortnight ago, offering some support in dealing with the public expectation.

“We had a bit of a chat in the enclosure at Caulfield, they (the owners) looked a bit tight,” Moody said.

“I just gave them a bit of a back slap and told them to relax and enjoy it.

“Peter (Tighe) races a lot of horses and you have to try and enjoy these great horses for what they are, and Winx is definitely one of them.”

“The pressure builds and we got to the stage with Black Caviar that it became more of a relief to win rather than excitement, which is a bit sad in a way.

“We probably didn’t enjoy it until it was all over.

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“They have got all that to look forward, but hopefully they will get to enjoy the moment again on Saturday.”

Cox Plate winning jockey Malcolm Johnston thinks Winx is a certainty to make it two-in-a-row on Saturday.

Winx looks primed for a big showing in the Cox Plate. Picture: Michael Klein

But ‘Miracle Mal’ said the mare was so good she could emulate the great Kingston Town in winning three successive Cox Plates, a feat no other horse has managed.

Johnston rode Kingston Town in one of those wins (1980).

“The word champion is used far too freely in our industry these days, but with Winx, it is legitimate,” Johnston said. “She will win the Cox Plate this year, and she could be the one who will equal Kingston Town’s three wins in the race. I have no doubt about that, she’s a champion.”