'It will give people chance to say goodbye': Waller mulls Winx farewell

Chris Waller wants to give the public an opportunity to farewell Winx by announcing when her final race will be.

Fresh from a record fourth Cox Plate triumph, the mare will head for a spell with no decision on her future to be made until next year.

Dream team: Chris Waller with his turf queen WInx after she won a fourth Cox Plate on Saturday

Dream team: Chris Waller with his turf queen WInx after she won a fourth Cox Plate on SaturdayCredit:aap

However if there is an autumn preparation in Sydney, Waller will name a day for a final goodbye, which could be the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at The Championships.

“What I would really like to do is say this will be her her race," Waller said. "It will give people the chance to say goodbye and plan to be there.

"As always if we do that it will be as long as everything goes to plan with her and she does show she has had enough.

“We would give everyone an indication of that race early on but as I have said for a while it is one run at a time and we just want to make sure everything is right with her.

“She really doesn’t have anything left to prove.”

Waller has lasting memories from Winx but he felt he needed something to remind him of Saturday’s fourth Cox Plate victory.

In previous eras, it was the black and white photos that captured the moment but Waller produced his own video as Winx returned on Saturday.

“I don’t get the chance to enjoy her wins too often,” Waller said. “I just wanted to have something from the day to remind me what she means for so many people.

“I don’t really watch that much TV but I think I will watch that video a few times. It was a special day.”

Winx joined Makybe Diva as a seven-year-old mare to win the Cox Plate but is in effect six months older than the three-time Melbourne Cup winner because she is Australian born and bred.

Makybe Diva didn’t race on after the spring and her third Melbourne Cup, but because of Waller’s genius Winx is still fresh and at the peak of her powers.

Waller said it was a feeling of relief when she crossed the line on Saturday. The intensity and attention leading into the Cox Plate had been building for months but he delivered Winx in top condition for the grand final.

“It was such a big build-up and a long build-up to this race, so just to get the day with her in great order was a relief,” Waller said. “She doesn’t let down us never but to sit back after the grand final and it is a weight off your shoulders.

“She does what everyone expects, which is pretty hard where she sets the bar.”

Waller will move on to next week and Flemington with another Coolmore Stud Stakes in his sights with Zousain, Lean Mean Machine and Performer to make up a strong team.

It is a race he has successfully targeted with Zoustar, Brazen Beau and Japonisme in the past.

“To have sons of Zoustar running in this race is special,” Waller said. “Zousain and Lean Mean Machine have had a good freshen up since the Golden Rose and I think they will really go well down the straight.

“We sent all three of our Coolmore horses to the jump-outs down the straight on Friday and they all went well and did it within themselves.”

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