48 SPORT SUNDAY OCTOBER 29 2017

Third-straightThird-straight CoxCox PlatePlate securedsecured afterafter HumidorHumidor scarescare

Sydney mare holds off Humidor to win her third-straight Cox Plate at Moonee Valley yesterday; and (above) trainer Chris Waller Pictures: GETTY IMAGES, AAP Winx wins by a whisker

RAY THOMAS to be secured, but not without from back in 1980-81-82. here and the Queen Elizabeth emulated that great horse. an unexpected struggle. ● This was her 22nd-con- in ,” Waller said. “They “We are in the presence of THIS was one of those sport- This tale had one final twist. secutive win, edging closer to are the two signature races on greatness. She’ll be recognised ing moments when the inevi- Humidor came after Winx and ’s record of 25 vic- “We are in the the Australian calendar for her. as one of the greatest horses to table still took your breath threatened to cause an upset. tories in a row. presence of “There’s been a lot of inten- grace the Australian turf.’’ away. Winx’s trainer Chris Waller ● Winx took her overall sity about trying to equal Waller was asked whether A huge roar went up from admitted his mind was racing prizemoney to $15.57 million, greatness. She’ll ’s record and Winx would back up in the $2 the sold-out Moonee Valley because this last chapter breaking the record previously be recognised it’s not easy. The last week has million Emirates Stakes crowd of 32,617 people when it wasn’t going to script. held by three-time Melbourne been a privilege to be involved (2000m) at Flemington on was apparent jockey Hugh But his great mare, sent out Cup winner with as one of the with her. She’s a megastar November 11, if she would race Bowman was sitting motion- a $1.18 favourite, dug in to com- $14.52 million. greatest horses sports person, sports animal, in and France next less on Winx at the 500m, plete the Cox Plate three-peat ● Winx was sent out at to grace the she’s an elite athlete.” year, and if a fourth Cox Plate while rival jockeys had their by a long neck from Humidor $1.18, making her the shortest Bowman joined Brent was now in his sights. mounts under extreme pres- ($31) with more than four Cox Plate favourite since Phar Australian turf” Thomson (1977-78-79) as the “I’d say she is 40 per cent to sure. lengths to Folkswood ($26). Lap won at $1.07 in 1931. only riders to win three-suc- run in the Emirates, 60 per Then Winx was about to In the process she claimed a ● She ran the Moonee Valley cessive Cox Plates. cent to go for a spell,’’ he said. deliver her trademark coup de number of racing’s greatest 2040m in 2min 02.94sec, break- Cox Plate and the public ex- “I’m lost for words, she’s “We will give her a few days to grace — sprinting to the front records, which included: ing the track record she set in pectation to keep Winx win- made history,’’ Bowman said. get over today, she has worked on the final bend and racing ● Winx’s third-successive the 2015 Cox Plate by 0.04s. ning. “I was born the year Kings- hard but it is a Cox Plate and into history. Cox Plate equals the legendary Waller then spoke of the “The last 12 months has ton Town won his first Cox you expect that, but things can A third Cox Plate was about Kingston Town’s achievement pressure of winning a third been all about getting back Plate (1980) and to think she’s change so we will see.” Drought broken as Who Shot Thebarman eyes fourth Cup bid WHO Shot Thebarman will $300,000 Moonee Valley Gold Who Shot Thebarman ran “You’ll see him on the first some of the connections are contest his fourth (2500m). “He’s just as third in the 2014 Melbourne Tuesday in November,’’ he pretty high up at the VRC so I Cup after he broke a win important in the stable as hors- Cup, 11th in 2015 and fifth last said. “It’s not just about win- don’t think I’ll be talking them drought of almost two years es like Winx,’’ said Waller of year and Waller said the vet- ning the Melbourne Cup, it’s out of not running (in the Mel- yesterday. Who Shot Thebarman. eran will be given another about being a part of the event bourne Cup) either.” Trainer Chris Waller con- “He’s a nine-year-old and, chance in the Flemington two- and it’s very hard to deny own- Blake Shinn was riding a firmed nine-year-old Who as you saw, he’s still trying his miler on Tuesday week. ers that opportunity when they hat-trick on Who Shot The- Shot Thebarman and stable- heart out and loves his pro- No nine-year-year-old has buy these horses, look after barman, complementing his mate Libran will run in the fession. It’s just a pleasure to won a Melbourne Cup but them for so long and dream efforts on Blondie and Lubiton. Melbourne Cup after they ran have him in the stable as it is Waller said Who Shot Thebar- like we’re all entitled to. Shinn hopes to ride Who a stable quinella in the Group 2 with good horses like Winx.’’ man had earned his place. “Libran’s back on track and Shot Thebarman in the Cup.

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