Winx after winning this year's Cox Plate (Image: Racing Photos)
Triple Cox Plate winner Winx could yet finish the year as the world's leading thoroughbred with world handicappers certain to revisit Arrogate's international rating following three sound defeats in the US.
Greg Carpenter, who is Australia's representative on an 18-member international handicapping panel that assesses world performances, says he will submit Arrogate's World Cup win in Dubai in March as a 131 performance - three points down on the 134 he was initially given for that night's victory.
That would leave Winx as the most likely world leader as her international rating of 132 is unlikely to be reassessed by handicappers given she continues to be dominant in all her races.
Carpenter said the three defeats suffered at Del Mar by Arrogate since his World Cup win would force handicappers to question the original World Cup rating of 134 when they meet over the Hong Kong International meeting in December.
He said he felt there were five horses that put in at least one outstanding performance in 2017 and that included both Arrogate and Winx as well as the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Enable, Arrogate's conqueror Gun Runner and the Champion Stakes winner Cracksman.
Gun Runner is certain to be a big mover up the rankings following his win in last weekend's Breeders' Cup Classic in a race where Arrogate struggled into fifth place.
All five horses look certain to be rated at 128 or above with the 132 owned by Winx a strong contender to be the leading mark after the Hong Kong meeting.
The final ratings for 2017 will be published in January.
WATCH: Winx's Cox Plate win