Cox Plate 2015: Winx Has Turn-Of-Foot To Win

Hugh Bowman is set to ride Winx in the 2015 Cox Plate and the leading hoop believes that the star mare has the turn-of-foot required to win the Group 1 event at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

Winx has the chance to record a third win at Group 1 level in the 2015 Epsom Handicap. Photo by: Steve Hart

Winx has the chance to record a third win at Group 1 level in the 2015 Epsom Handicap. Photo by: Steve Hart

Bowman was booked by Chris Waller to ride in the Cox Plate last month and the in-form hoop was given the choice between Winx and Preferment after Blake Shinn was ruled out of Saturday’s meeting at Moonee Valley due to suspension.

Preferment will be Bowman’s mount in the Melbourne Cup and he said that he still has a big opinion of the Turnbull Stakes winner, but he told the media at Breakfast With The Best this morning that Winx has shown that she has the turn-of-foot that is required to win the Cox Plate.

“It wasn’t easy because obviously I am riding Preferment in the Melbourne Cup,” Bowman said.

“It would have been great to be on him, but the bottom line is that she has that excellent turn-of-foot and that could be the difference between winning and losing.

“He can sustain a long gallop, but he can’t move the way she can and that is the main reason that I have made my decision.

“If it is a really strong race, which I am anticipating it will be from the outset, I am hoping that doesn’t negate her turn-of-foot.”

Bowman had not ridden Winx since her impressive victory in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Royal Randwick on October 3, but he was given the chance to get on her back at Breakfast With The Best this morning.

Winx was never fully extended in her track work gallop at Moonee Valley, but Bowman said that he was still happy with the feel that he received from the daughter of Street Cry and he believes that she has not gone backwards since the Epsom Handicap.

“I am happy with her,” Bowman said.

“She wasn’t out there to break any records and I hope we do that on the weekend.

“She is in good form, she has obviously held our condition well from the Epsom and I am looking forward to it.

“I have definitely got the ammunition.”

Bowman is chasing his first win in the Cox Plate after previously missing the placings with Seville (seventh behind Shamus Award in 2013), Shoot Out (fifth behind Ocean Park in 2012), Lion Tamer (last behind Pinker Pinker in 2011), Vision And Power (11th behind So You Think in 2009) and Devil Moon (fifth behind El Segundo in 2007).

Winx is currently available at 2015 Cox Plate odds of $7.50 with Ladbrokes and she is on the third line of betting behind Highland Reel ($5) and Criterion ($6).

You can take advantage of the best Cox Plate odds for Winx and every single other runner in the race with Ladbrokes, who are offering Best Tote or Starting Price +20% on every race at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.