Winx is simply a level above
JUST moments after Winx reaffirmed her position as one of the world’s best horses, trainer Chris Waller declared she would now be specifically set for a third Cox Plate.
Bookmakers around Australia are now betting $4 that Winx can return to Moonee Valley in a year’s time and race herself into history. Winning three Cox Plates will place her in the elite of modern day racehorses.
An overwhelmed Waller admitted that he watched the Cox Plate well away from the cameras but sensed as Winx rounded the home turn that the mare was going to ‘‘do it all again’’.
Despite the cold conditions the Victorian crowd embraced the mare, cheering her onto the track and giving her a standing ovation after her effortless romp around Moonee Valley.
Runner-up Hartnell bravely tried to cling onto Winx when the pressure went on at the 600m but could not withstand the remarkable turn of foot of the mare.
Winx’s dominance of Australian racehorses has now got to be a source of temptation for the connections and trainer to consider the idea of racing in England in the middle of next year.
Waller said: ‘‘I think a third Cox Plate is in order. She’s been giving us a fabulous ride and what she showed today, she’s been showing us for a long time.
‘‘Of course there could be overseas and there could be lots of plans but I’m saying hopefully we can be back here in a years time.’’
Winx will equal the great Kingston Town if she wins the race next year. The King won three in a row between 1980-82.
It will be a dream result for the Victoria Racing Club if Waller believes that Winx has emerged well enough to start in Saturday week’s $2 million Emirates Stakes at Flemington.
Meanwhile, New Zealand three-year-old Sacred Elixir has been promoted to the top of Vic- toria Derby betting with his win in a lead-up race at Moonee Valley. Sacred Elixir took out the Lucrf Super Vase on Saturday, the final lead-up for the threeyear-olds heading to the Derby and had his odds cut from $8 to $4.40 for next week’s Classic. The Vase last year was taken out by last week’s Caulfield Cup winner Jameka who went on to win the VRC Oaks while Tarzino finished third before going on to Derby Getty Images success. Ridden by Damian Lane, Sacred Elixir was sent out the $4.60 favourite in scoring a halflength win from Morvada ($51) with So Si Bon ($6) one and a quarter lengths away third. Trainer Tony Pike was pleased to see his Derby plans were back on track following his win on Saturday. After scoring first-up at Caulfield last month, Sacred Elixir finished eighth to Divine Prophet in the Caulfield Guineas on October 8.
‘‘After getting beaten in the Guineas there was a little bit of doubt creeping in, but it was a good strong win today and he relaxed well,’’ Pike said. Pike removed the blinkers from Sacred Elixir on Saturday in an effort to get the gelding to settle.
‘‘He got fired up before the Guineas and over-raced which was probably the telling factor,’’ Pike said. ‘‘He was good today, he switched off without the blinkers off and was strong strong to the line.’’The bigger flatter Flemington track and the extra ground is going to suit him.’’ CHALLENGES were coming from all directions but it was tough mare Bel Sorriso who had the final say in the Group III Thompson Handicap at Riccarton on Saturday.
Trained by Levin veteran Grant Searle, the Keeper mare emerged late in the race to capture her eighth win and advance her earnings to around $180,000.
She had several things in her favour - a strong pace set after Authentic Paddy, Rocknrolla and Heavens Keep went to war up front, her preferred heavy track conditions, and the skill of jockey Johnathan Parkes.
She made her opposition pay with a dominant performance despite having her first run since June.
For a fleeting moment Cruiser, the horse who spent several seasons on the sidelines recuperating, looked like he was about to reward patient trainer Harvey Wilson as he hit the front for jockey Timothy Johnson.
But he couldn’t sustain his effort and he ran his third second from three starts since he returned to the track.
Roughie Big Dreamer gained valuable black-type with her gallant third.
Searle plans to keep the $5,000 yearling purchase to weight-forage races with the Tauranga Stakes on November 12 an option.
Bel Sorriso was bred by Cambridge Stud’s Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan, who also bred and part-owns Gift Of Power.
The ough filly lived up to her $180,000 yearling sale price tag and royal pedigree with victory in the first of the season’s 2-year-old black-type events the Wellesley Stakes (1100m).
By Power out of Capital Diamond she was offered by Cambridge Stud at the sales and principals Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan stayed in the ownership syndicate put together by trainers Graeme and Debbie Rogerson who were the purchasers.
She won on debut for jockey Craig Grylls who was aboard again and he had to call on all the filly’s reserves to hold out Waldorf to go two from two.
Karaka Million nominated, she may go to Riccarton for the Welcome Stakes in a few weeks.
‘ I think a third Cox Plate is in order. She’s been giving us a fabulous ride and what she showed today, she’s been showing us for a long time.’ CHRIS WALLER