What a beautiful scene, before an adoring crowd roaring themselves hoarse at Moonee Valley, the incomparable Winx rounded the home turn poised to create history as the first 4-time winner of Australia's Weight For Age Championship, the $5 million Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m).
With just Benbatl (GB) in her sights, Winx needed one back-hander from Hugh Bowman to put paid to the 3-time Group 1 winner and under little more than a hand ride over the final furlong, she defeated a courageous Benbatl (Dubawi) by two lengths with last year's runner-up Humidor (Teofilo) a further two and three-quarter lengths back in third. (photos Grant Courtney)
It was the 22nd Group 1 win and the 29th straight victory for the seven-year-old daughter of Street Cry (IRE) advancing her overall record to 33 wins and 3 seconds from 39 starts with earnings of $22,934,925.
The race proved a triumph for Darley stallions who supplied the trifecta.
Godolphin's Melbourne Cup hope Avilius (GB) clocked in fourth, albeit at a safe seven and three-quarter lengths back of the world champ while the Group 1 Irish Derby runner-up Rostropovich (IRE) was nearly nine lengths back in fifth.
Bowman looked remarkably calm and collected when bringing Winx back to scale.
"I can't believe it," Bowman said.
"I really thought in the build-up to this I'd get quite emotional and I am feeling emotional, the build-up of electricity that came through my body when I turned into the home straight was indescribable.
"Everyone watching gets so much pleasure out of the superb ability of this wonderful horse.
"The fact she has been able to do it so many times speaks volume of the management of her.
"I felt the pressure this week more than I have before.
"I'm so proud to be a part of this and so lucky to come across such an amazing athlete.
The ever-emotional Chris Waller said he had a few concerns early but his confidence grew as the race went on.
"Going past the straight the first time was a little concern that she might get caught three wide. She
"To see her unleash as she does, I was looking for Humidor coming off of her back and seeing how the others were travelling but she had them covered a long way from home."
"It has just gone to a whole new level and we are not trained to deal with it.
"It's pretty special, I can't say much more, I'm gassed, I hope the horse has got more petrol than me"
On Friday, Segenhoe Stud's Peter O'Brien sent a tweet from Paca Paca Stud in Japan saying that the dam of Winx, Vegas Showgirl, is safely in foal to the champion Deep Impact.
A half-sister to Group III ATC Kindergarten Stakes winner El Divino, Winx was a $230,000 purchase by Magic Bloodstock out of the Coolmore draft at the 2013 MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Her dam Vegas Showgirl, a dual Listed stakes-winning daughter of Al Akbar, was a $455,000 purchase by Colm Santry Bloodstock on behalf of John Camilleri's Fairway Thoroughbreds at the 2008 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
Vegas Showgirl has a 2yo Snitzel filly named Courchevel and a yearling filly by Exceed And Excel named Covent Garden.
She was bred back to Exceed and Excel last spring but failed to conceive, She was sent to Japan in July for her date with Deep Impact (JPN).
