Winx the frightener

HAS the Winx factor already smothered Moonee Valley before next month’s Cox Plate?

Still 53 days away from her date with destiny and possible record-equalling third consecutive Plate victory, the champion mare already appears to be scaring off rivals.

Saturday’s Group 2 Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) offers a guaranteed Cox Plate start, but when nominations closed yesterday, only 13 horses had been entered.

With a limit of 15 starters, plus emergencies, for the $250,000 race, officials extended the entry deadline until 10am today.

Darren Weir has three of the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes entries — Articus, Big Duke and Star Exhibit — while Lloyd Williams could be represented by Amralah, Gallante and Sir Isaac Newton.

Australian Oaks winner Bonneval looks certain to run, while Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young have yet to decide if 2016 Australian Derby winner Tavago takes up the challenge.

Tavago ran second in a 1190m trial on heavy ground at Cranbourne yesterday.

Nominations were also extended for Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1000m) after only 10 entries were received.

Galaxy winner Russian Revolution heads the nominations, ahead of Heatherly and Missrock.

Ben Melham will miss the meeting after failing to have a seven-meeting ban overturned or reduced.

Melham’s appeal against careless riding was dismissed at the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board by Judge John Bowman.

Judge Bowman told the jockey that he had “little room to move” on the penalty because Melham had changed his original guilty plea to not guilty.

Agreeing the offence was in the low range, Judge Bowman said he was unlucky and forced to change course when he shifted ground on Miss Vixen in the home straight of the Moorookyle Parak Handicap, causing interference to Craig Williams on Pageantry.

Melham can resume on Sunday.