Super star Winx had to fight out a tough finish to equal Kingston Town’s record of three consecutive wins in the Group 1 $3m Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley today.

Winx, above in blue colours, has to fight hard to beat Humidor, green colours, in the 2017 Ladbrokes Cox Plate at The Valley.

Winx, above in blue colours, has to fight hard to beat Humidor, green colours, in the 2017 Ladbrokes Cox Plate at The Valley.

Winx had to overcome a tough three wide run and sustained a long run from the 800m when Hugh Bowman decided to put the pressure on her rival runners.

Bowman had Winx challenging the leaders on the home turn but just when she skipped clear and looked like recording another easy Cox Plate win, Blake Shinn was able to lift Humidor who made a real race of it in the run to the line.

But in true championship qualities, Winx responded brilliantly to write he name firmly in the Racing History books.

Winx ($1.18 favourite) was able to have half a length to spare over the Darren Weir trained Humidor ($31) with the English visitor Folkswood running a nice race to fill third spot just over four lengths away.

Emotions were running high after the history making victory with Bowman throwing his cap and skull cap into the crowd while winning trainer Chris Waller was reduced to tears.

“It was close, as you would expect in a Cox Plate,” Waller said.

“You never know what is going to happen on a racetrack. It was great to see her moving forward in that normal style but geez Humidor gave her a hell of a fight.”

“Fortunately we got the upper hand and well done to connections of all runners, they have run second to a very good horse.”

Winx recorded a new track record for the 2040m journey with a winning time of 2:02.94, which was four one hundredths of a second faster than the 2:02.98 she set in winning her first Ladbrokes Cox Plate in 2015.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.