Winx wins Cox Plate

Sydney mare Winx has beaten an international field to win the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley today.

She capitalised on a rails run at the 600m, and sprinted away from her rivals to draw a comparison with Sunline, one of the weight-for-age race's most famous winners.

"It was shades of Sunline, wasn't it," Winx’s trainer Chris Waller said.

Sent out the $4.60 favourite, Winx was in a race of her own from the turn and she had 4-3/4 lengths in hand over Criterion ($6).

Highland Reel ($8) was the first of the three internationals to finish in taking the minor placing.

It is Waller's first win in the Cox Plate, as it is for leading Sydney jockey Hugh Bowman.

 “To be here riding on this stage is one thing. But to win a race like this, I can't tell you how much it means," Bowman said.

"I'm so thankful, obviously, to Chris Waller and the connections of the horse. I just can't believe it to be honest."

Winx settled in sixth position on the rail and when the leader

The Cleaner shifted out, Bowman drove the mare through a narrow gap and she straightened with a winning break.

"At the 600 (metres), when The Cleaner rolled off and I went through I didn't want to be going that early," Bowman said.

"Sometimes you don't have choices. You have to take the cards you're dealt and I was on the premium mare that was able to capitalise on the run that I wanted."