Global Weekly Review: Winx cruises to top of world rankings

It felt an honour just to be present at Moonee Valley, Melbourne, as Winx demolished a high-class field in Saturday's G1 Cox Plate with a breathtaking performance that saw her challenging California Chrome for 'Best in the World' status.

Championship races are simply not meant to be won like this. The Chris Waller-trained Winx went past Hartnell, a multiple G1 winner himself, as if he had been riveted to the ground. Her acceleration was stunning as she raced clear to win by eight lengths.

The Colin Hayes-trained Dulcify won the 1979 Cox Plate by seven lengths, and with total authority.

But there was something about Winx's win - her second successive triumph in Australia's premier weight-for-age contest - that set her apart.

Godolphin trainer John O'Shea was generous in his praise of Winx, as too was Henry Plumptre, head of Godolphin operations in Australia. Like most professionals, they knew they had witnessed something special.

Plumptre said: "We thought Hartnell was as well as he could possibly get. His win in the G1 Turnbull Stakes was as good as any at that level in the past year. So, for Winx to do what she has done was quite an extraordinary performance. You only see one like her every 30 or 40 years."

Winx is a daughter of the deceased Street Cry, a much-celebrated Darley stallion, who also produced another outstanding champion mare, Zenyatta.

Plumptre pointed out that Winx, who was sold at public auction, had been a popular winner with Godolphin/Darley despite the obvious rivalry on the racetrack.

"From a breeding perspective, it is close to the perfect 10 for us," he explained.

"John Camilleri, whose Fairway Thoroughbreds bred Winx, is one of our biggest clients. He has been a terrific supporter over the years.

"The racing career of Winx also further illustrates what a complete tragedy the death two years ago of Street Cry (aged just 16 years) was for all of us. He is heading for a stallions' championship posthumously and that will be the third in six years for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed in Australia.

"Winx is one of those really elite mares, who keeps finding. Black Caviar was the same," he added.

Hartnell was not disgraced in second, despite Winx's wide winning margin. "He is on target to run in the G1 Melbourne Cup on November 1. He has come out of the race really well and has eaten up," Plumptre added.