Couldn’t be better
Waller says Winx in peak form as she chases three-peat
TRAINER Chris Waller has ominously declared Winx to be at the peak of her form and fitness as she prepares for her Cox Plate three-peat at Moonee Valley tomorrow.
Australia’s super-mare looks to have the $3 million Cox Plate at her mercy, although Waller is guarding against complacency creeping into the Winx camp.
But Winx, the $1.15 favourite with UBET, is poised to equal Kingston Town’s unique Cox Plate hat-trick, join Black Caviar with a record 15th Group 1 win, and take her prizemoney to more than $15.5 million, smashing the all-time earnings record of Makybe Diva, who won $14.52 million.
Waller watched Winx go through her final workout at Flemington yesterday and said the champion mare could not be in better shape ahead of tomorrow’s big race.
“Before the Cox Plate last year, we said there needed to be a champion to beat her, because she was as good as we could have her,’’ Waller said.
“Nothing has changed going into this year’s Cox Plate. Her ‘semi-final’ run in the Turnbull Stakes was very impressive and, although it will be a stronger field (tomorrow), her work, the perfect three-week gap between races, it couldn’t have been better. That to me would suggest she is very well.
“She looks in great condition, her coat is starting to come through nicely, her blood levels are good – every check that we are looking for has been perfect.’’
Winx produced arguably the best run of her career to win the Cox Plate by eight lengths last year. The field for tomorrow’s Cox Plate does not look to have the depth of quality from a year ago and it would seem only bad luck or another unforeseen circumstance can prevent Winx from racing into history.
“With horse racing you never get too far ahead of yourself. We’ve all seen what can happen in horse racing and in any sport, for that matter,’’ Waller said.