Overseas or fourth Plate big question
WINX’S part-owner Peter Tighe has revealed the champion mare won’t chase an unprecedented fourth Cox Plate win if she races in Britain next year.
“This is the decision we have to make – if we go to England we can’t go to the Cox Plate,’’ Tighe said.
“There is not enough time. She will need a spell at some stage and there are quarantine restrictions to consider.
“So, that is the catalyst for what we are going to do.
“We have to decide if we are going to England or to target the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (at Randwick) next autumn and then another
Cox Plate.’’
To complicate the decision further for Winx’s owner and trainer Chris Waller, they are being courted to take the great mare to race at some of the major northern hemisphere racing centres next year.
“British Racing is putting together (race) programs for Winx in England, France and Ireland,’’ Queensland-based Tighe said.
“I met representatives from the Japan Racing Association and Hong Kong Jockey Club (last Saturday) who were asking about racing her in those jurisdictions. We even get offered (appearance) money but it is not about the money, never has been.
“There have been some discussions about next year and look, it would be good for Winx, it would be good for the trainer, it would be good for racing if she went.
“But there are a million scenarios and nothing has been decided. Everything is on the radar, even the Emirates Stakes at Flemington in two weeks.’’
Waller is giving Winx a few days to get over her third Cox Plate win at Moonee Valley last Saturday before making any decisions on whether the champion mare races again this spring.
“After Chris has checked her out he will tell us what we are doing,’’ Tighe said.
“We are happy to race at Flemington if she is right, and just as happy not to race.
“Same with overseas. We are happy to go to England but if Chris woke up tomorrow and said he has had a rethink … that is fine with us.’’