Winx equals three straight Cox Plate record
Australia's wonder mare Winx held off Humidor in the home straight to win a record-equalling third Cox Plate at Melbourne's Moonee Valley on Saturday for her 22nd straight victory.
Winx equalled Kingston Town's three Cox Plate victories set in 1980-82 but had a terrific tussle inside the final 200m to fend off the late-charging Humidor (30-1) by a long neck.
In winning the Group 1 weight-for-age Cox Plate over 2,040m, Winx lowered her own track record by 0.04sec and passed Makybe Diva's stakes earnings record of A$14.52 million (S$15.2 million).
Winx, starting at 1-6 favourite, also equalled sprinter Black Caviar's record of 15 Group 1 wins.
"A whole host of things went through my mind towards the end," said Winx's trainer, Chris Waller.
"There were obviously moments of concern down the straight, but she's Winx and she finds a way to win like all champions do.
He's a tough horse. As you can see, he gets on his toes a bit, so it takes a lot of work and it was good to see him doing it.Trainer Cliff Brown on Don De La Vega's Race 2 win
"She's unbeaten for almost three years now, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't go to bed at night thinking of her getting beaten."
English horse Folkswood (25-1) held on for third, four-and-a-quarter lengths behind Humidor after racing on the early pace. - AFP
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