The phenomenal Winx won her third consecutive $1 million Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill and in the process claimed a world record 17th Group One win.
The 6yo daughter of Street Cry (IRE) was made to earn her win with the in-form Happy Clapper refusing to lie down to go under by three-quarters of a length with Godolphin's 3yo colt Kementari far from disgraced a length further back in third. (photos Steve Hart) .
The Horse of the Year in Australia in 2015-16 & 2016-17, Winx stretched her unbeaten run to 24 while advancing her overall record to 28 wins and 3 seconds from 34 starts while banking an almost incomprehensible $16,563,925 in earnings.
"It was a bit of a tactical race, there was no pressure early," winning jockey Hugh Bowman said.
"I actually never went in behind Brenton (Avdulla on Kementari) because I could just feel I was getting away from high-class horses and what I've never done is treat the opposition with disrespect."
"Happy Clapper is a supreme athlete and this mare is just better than them but if I set her an impossible task she wouldn't be able to do it.
"I have so much confidence in her, she gave me such a thrilling feeling as she did everyone watching her and I could feel the crowd erupt at the 200.
"What a special, special horse she is. I'm so grateful to be her jockey,"
Winning trainer Chris Waller said Winx would now head to the $4 million Group I Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick in three weeks at Randwick and seemed decidedly cool on a trip to Europe.
"To be fair to the owners we haven't even discussed it," Waller said.
"We know when it is and what races there are in Europe.
"Today was very important to see her come back and be fairly dominant and on to the Queen Elizabeth in three weeks time.
"It's the signature race in Sydney which we were never really going to miss unless she was going to campaign in Europe.
"We've got to talk about coming back if she went to Europe and race in her fourth Cox Plate, she can only really go there for one run, possibly two, but we've got to put all the cards on the table.
"We'll speak to the owners and have a check on the horse is most important.
"We do respect everyone that follows her here and on the other side of the world, wherever that may be.
"We'll be sure to look after everyone and let them know as things happen."
Bred by John Camilleri's Fairway Thoroughbreds, Winx was a $230,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Coolmore draft for Peter Tighe's Magic Bloodstock.
Her dam Vegas Showgirl has a yearling filly by Snitzel named Courchevel and a filly foal by Exceed And Excel. She missed when returned to that stallion last spring.
