Champion mare Winx will be spelled with a third Cox Plate victory a goal after another sizzling win, this time in today’s Group One $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick.
A big crowd was sent into raptures when the superstar moved up on the outside of second favourite Hartnell rounding the turn and poked her nose in front.
Connections, who admitted to bigger than normal pre-race nerves, had nothing to worry about as Winx was able to pull well clear of her rivals. At the post the margin was five and a quarter lengths.

“It’s very special,” winning rider Hugh Bowman said. “I’m lost for words.”

“The amount of expectation put on her, I don’t feel it’s on me, but it is hard to ignore the expectation and I must admit on the big grand final day I am a bit more edgy.”

“She’s such a special equine athlete and I’m so proud of her.”

“She’s a supreme athlete as I said and to be there and to be a part of her journey is very special to me,” Bowman added.

The win was the 17th in a row for Winx and her 12th at Group One level.

An emotional Chris Waller said the unbelievable mare made him look a genius as a trainer.

“It’s a huge privilege,” Waller said. “Australia is her home and wherever she goes she does everyone proud.”

“She’ll go for a well deserved holiday now and then we’ll map out a programme.”

“She will stay in Australia until the Cox Plate and then we’ll work it out after that,” Waller added.

The Street Cry mare, who was purchased by connections for $230,000 at the 2013 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale has now earned over $12.8 million and is the second highest stakes earnings horse in Australian racing history.

Bred by the Camilleri family’s Fairway Thoroughbreds operation, Winx was sold through the draft of Coolmore Stud and she was knocked down to the big of Peter Tighe’s Magic Bloodstock.

Tighe races the mare in partnership with Richard Treweeke and Debbie Kepitis – the trio are enjoying the ride of their lives. 

Image Magic Millions