Winx works at Moonee Valley racetrack ahead of bid to make Cox Plate history

WINX worked through her gears at Moonee Valley this morning as the star mare continues to steam promisingly towards a tilt at Cox Plate history.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA — OCTOBER 06: Hugh Bowman riding Winx wins race 5 the TAB Turnbull Stakes during Melbourne Racing at Flemington Racecourse on October 6, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

WINX is in a maintenance phase as she steams promisingly towards a tilt at Cox Plate history.

The star mare worked over 1200m at Moonee Valley on Tuesday morning with jockey Hugh Bowman, working at three-quarter pace before she “breezed up” over the last 400m.

“She went through her gears nicely and was full of running at the completion of her work,” Waller said.

“Hugh Bowman was very complimentary of how she felt and was extremely pleased with where she is at leading into the Cox Plate.”

PHANTOM RACE: Winx versus The Autumn Sun

THE CHALLENGER: Benbatl lays down gauntlet to Winx

Winx pleased both Hugh and I this morning when galloping around Moonee Valley - her build up to the 2018 Cox Plate continues. Ⓜ️👌@SkyRacingAU @Racing @TheValley @winx_horse @HugeBowman @RacenetTweets @anz_news pic.twitter.com/YLY6ELzzPS

— Chris Waller Racing (@cwallerracing) October 15, 2018

The seven-year-old superstar marked her 28th consecutive victory in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington less than a fortnight ago, with Waller saying she had come through the race without issue.

He said before this morning’s gallop that the mare was “ticking along nicely” and confirmed she would engage in an exhibition gallop at next Tuesday’s Breakfast with the Best at Moonee Valley.

(L-R) Team Winx: Trainer Chris Waller, Winx, strapper Umut Odemislioglu and jockey Hugh Bowman. Picture: Nicole Garmston

“She’s well. She’s good – ticking along nicely,” Waller said at Caulfield.

“She’ll just do maintenance work (from now on).

“Breakfast with the Best is always a good morning for her just to get there and just a bit of excitement out of her in between runs.

“She normally has an exhibition gallop, so Breakfast with the Stars will be good for just taking the edge off her, a little.”

BREAKING!
Jockey @HugeBowman speaks exclusively after Winx worked at Moonee Valley this morning. pic.twitter.com/Yqqs7iNSrD

— Nick Quinn (@Quinny_1) October 15, 2018

Before he was reunited with his heroine partner of the track, Bowman said he was keeping things simple ahead of a crack at a fourth-straight win in the $5 million feature.

“Just to make sure she’s feeling well and happy and nice and relaxed (is the focus),” he said.

“At this stage of the preparation, I’m pretty comfortable that we’re just going through the motions, really. I’m not really looking for anything. I just want everything to go smoothly.”

Godolphin raider Benbatl looms as a key contender for the richest weight-for-age race in Australia next Saturday and Bowman said the British galloper should not be discounted as a potential roadblock to Winx’s path to history.

“Very respectful of him,” he said.

“He would stand out, yes. But I don’t disregard other opponents. He has to be respected wherever he goes, he’s always consistent.

“If he turns up on the day, he’s right up there. But I’ll worry about the field when I see it.”

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