Cox Plate result may no decide Winx future

WINX’S connections have left the door ajar for the champion to race on indefinitely as the world’s best horse bears down on a history-making fourth Cox Plate.

Chasing a 28th successive victory – and 21st Group 1 in a row – in Saturday’s Turnbull Stakes at Flemington, Winx was last night the centre piece of Moonee Valley Racing Club’s Cox Plate carnival launch.

Part-owner Debbie Kepitis moved to scuttle speculation Winx could retire if she rolls to an unprecedented fourth Cox Plate victory on October 27.

“That’s up to her,” Kepitis said when asked about Winx’s future. “We were only talking about this last week, the other two owners Richard (Treweeke), Peter (Tighe) and (trainer) Chris (Waller) and our partners.

“We really want her to indicate what she wants to do.

“The last two or three years when she’s been out spelling and after she’s had two or three weeks, we can tell she doesn’t want to be standing around in a paddock any more. She wants to do more.

“So they do a little bit of work with her on the water walker and they step her up.”

Kepitis said Waller’s staff were constantly monitoring the champion mare.

“She gets bored. So you could do a disservice by putting her in a paddock to become a mum,” she said.

“So we’ll let her show us – that’s why Chris has got the staff around him to watch her.

“There are people around her the whole time and they understand her, they understand how she feels.

“She can’t talk but she can indicate. So while everything is going the same as it has been and she still has the zest for racing, why would you do anything else?

“But, look, the minute there’s something different, she can go into a paddock.”

Victory in her next two races would push Winx past the $20 million prizemoney mark.