2019 Cox Plate Carnival Media Guide

21 It was a moment in Australian sporting history that many will remember forever as Winx entered folklore status in ‘The Race Where Legends Are Made’ by becoming the first horse ever to win four W.S. Cox Plates. The demand for tickets and interest in the Ladbrokes Cox Plate saw tickets sold-out in advance, with 38,035 enjoying every moment of the history-making day at The Valley. The buzz around the course could only be described as electric as the build-up to ‘the greatest two minutes in sport’ had everyone on edge. A beautiful rendition of the National Anthem by Grace Laing, daughter of trainer Robbie, ensured the crowd was at its patriotic best, with another stellar performance of ‘The Horses’ sung by the crowd. The moment had arrived and as Winx ambled on to the course to make her way down to the 2040m start, the crowd roared. They had come to be part of history and the world’s best racehorse and three-time W.S. Cox Plate winner was ready to achieve what had never been done before – win a fourth. When the barriers crashed open the grandstand erupted with nervous energy, with jockey Hugh Bowman finding a position midfield as they turned out of the home straight. At the 600 metre mark, the great mare took off and “The Valley roared” as they rounded the home turn, with Godolphin raider Benbatl the only danger. While Saeed bin Suroor’s classy galloper matched strides on the bend, upon straightening Bowman rode a wave of emotion as the crowd cheered home the champ as she strode to immortality status. “Cometh the hour, cometh the legend - GREATNESS” – perfectly narrated by race caller Matt Hill, Winx had done it, achieving somethingmany wouldn’t ever have imagined possible – four consecutive wins in the Weight-For-Age Championship of Australasia and now the undisputed champion of our time. Benbatl ran a gallant second, with Humidor running home in third. All eyes were fixated on Winx as she strode back down the home straight to the adoring crowd, with the fitting word ‘LEGENDARY’ displayed on the track. FINISH NO. HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY MARGIN BAR. WEIGHT STARTING PRICE 1 6 WINX Chris Waller Hugh Bowman 6 57kg $1.24 2 1 BENBATL Saeed Bin Suroor Oisin Murphy 2L 3 59kg $10 3 2 HUMIDOR Darren Weir Damian Lane 4.75L 7 59kg $21 4 4 AVILIUS James Cummings Glynn Schofield 7.75L 1 59kg $31 5 7 ROSTROPOVICH Aiden O’Brien Ryan Moore 8.75L 8 56kg $31 6 5 D’ARGENTO Chris Waller Kerrin McEvoy 9.75L 2 57.5kg $26 7 8 SAVVY COUP Michael & Matthew Pitman Chris Johnson 11L 5 55.5kg $61 FF 3 KINGS WILL DREAM Darren Weir John Allen - 4 59kg $31 2018 LADBROKES COX PLATE REVIEW WINX CREATES HISTORY AT THE VALLEY