Winx Into Cox Plate Calculations

The trainer closed his eyes, the jockey stuck out an elbow and the latest star mare of Australian racing staged her own rescue to win the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick and race into Cox Plate contention. Winx (Street Cry) won the Epsom with a sustained burst of brilliance that confirmed her place among the best in training in Australia. On a day that featured a series of exhilarating performances, Winx added one of the country’s best 1600m races to the BRC Oaks she won at Doomben in May. Winx also gave trainer Chris Waller his 50th Group 1 win – and caused him to fear for her safety. “It was an awful scrimmage turning for home. I admit I closed my eyes hoping for the best because all you hope is your horses come home well,” Waller said. Stewards are investigating Bowman’s possible misuse of his elbow in which the stewards said it “disengaged from its normal riding position” and appeared to come in contact with Shinn. Bowman rejected any suggestion he had ridden improperly, preferring to focus on Winx. “I don’t like to get carried away but she got stood on her head at the 450 (metres) and then won with authority,” Bowman said. Waller had been considering the Myer Classic at Flemington for Winx, but is now giving serious thought to the Cox Plate. “There is a lot of water to go under the bridge but I think 2040 metres around Moonee Valley sounds attractive,” Waller said. “She is a very special horse and I think she might be even better suited to the Melbourne direction.” Winx was a $230,000 purchase by Magic Bloodstock from the Coolmore draft at the 2013 Magic Millions Gold Yearling Sale.