Trainer Chris Waller has set his sights on a third Cox Plate title with Winx after the mare secured back-to-back victories in the Group One event at Moonee Valley.
The five-year-old won the 10-furlong contest by four-and-three-quarter lengths in 2015, but she increased that margin to eight lengths this time with a hugely impressive effort as the 4-5 favourite.
French raider Vadamos set the early gallop but he began to toil turning into the straight, just as Winx began her move down the outside.
Hartnell also launched his challenge, briefly leading before Winx swept down the middle of the track, quickly opening up a clear lead before cruising home to extend her winning run to 13.
Hartnell hung on for second from Yankee Rose, with Vadamos toughing it out to claim fourth for Andre Fabre.
Winx wins the Cox Plate by six-lengths. 13 wins in a row. https://t.co/OK4pDV4VSc @7horseracing #CoxPlate #7News https://t.co/enDkI7f25B
— 7 News Sydney (@7NewsSydney) October 22, 2016
An emotional Waller immediately nominated a third Cox Plate success as the ultimate aim for Winx, but also raised the possibility of running in Europe in the interim.
He told www.racing.com: "She's been doing that to us for a while. To get to this stage last year was something different for me and to get back here again, with the build-up, was fantastic.
"For her to win like that is pretty fitting for the horse she is.
"It's fantastic for racing, we've got such a good sport. Everyone can compete, it doesn't matter who you are, everyone is the same on a race track
"It's like a dream - simple as that
"(We'd like to) win a third one. This is Australia's big race and getting to the other side of the world would be good, but she'll be back next year. That's what we're in the game for if the horse is fit and well.
"You respect the Australians and they respect her, so that would be right at the top of the old pecking order."
