We’ve seen many epic showdowns take place at the Moonee Valley Racing Club over the years. Kingston Town and Rising Fast are perhaps two of the most famous racehorses to have tasted victory at this iconic venue, but now a new star has emerged in the shape of Winx. The mare stormed to victory at the 2015 edition of the great race, setting a new course record that had stood for some 17 years. In the process, Winx also won by the largest margin since Sunline way back in the year 2000, so it’s fair to say that this is a horse that cannot be ignored.
The mare stormed to victory at the 2015 edition of the great race, setting a new course record that had stood for some 17 years.
With this information in mind, you might think that Winx will easily romp to victory in the 2016 Cox Plate, but things aren’t as cut-and-dried as they appear. A horse by the name of Hartnell may have something to say about that…
The six-year old British gelding has been in tremendous form leading up to the big race, a world class animal that has amassed well over AU$2 million in prize money across the course of his career. Initially, Hartnell was scheduled to race in the Caulfield Cup, but is now being saved for the Cox Plate, setting up a showdown that will hopefully live long in the memory.
Will Winx win it?
So, who’s expected to come out on top on October 22?
“In a race like the Cox Plate, Hartnell arguably has more tactical versatility and that could be a key advantage, especially if the race is run at just even tempo or slower,” reckons Daniel Sullivan of BetSmart, talking to 12Follow.
“But if the pace is above average to fast, like we saw in last year’s Cox Plate then on the profile of both horses at the moment, the advantage would lie with Winx.”
Oct 5, 2016 at 3:50pm PDT
A Winx Hart-breaker?
Currently, Winx lies just ahead of Hartnell as the bookies’ favourite, but this is expected to tighten as we near the day of the race itself. It’s predicted that there will nothing between the odds once the starting gun fires, which could signal one of the most hotly-contested Cox Plate contests in years.
This is a race that you simply cannot afford to miss, and with Motive Travel, you can be there. Our Cox Plate packages are renowned among racing lovers across Western Australia, handing you a seat at the heart of the action. You can ask Harvey Crossman, President of the Western Australian Race Horse Owner’s Association and Committee Member of Perth Racing, who he thinks will triumph in this epic showdown as he joins us on the tour, but even he thinks it’s too close to call!
Be sure to download the free Motive Travel Guide to Melbourne to find out how we can show you around the city – look for the link on our home page!
