Winx left her rivals, including Benbatl (right), in her wake (Image: Racing Photos)
Saeed bin Suroor has hailed Winx as a 'superstar' after watching the wonder mare hand his horse Benbatl a sound defeat in Saturday's history-making Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m).
While proud of the five-year-old's effort to get within two lengths of Winx, the Godolphin trainer conceded that Benbatl was not in the same class as Chris Waller's champion mare.
"She is a superstar, she is the best of the best," bin Suroor said.
"I'm very happy for the trainer, the owners and the jockey.
"We took our chance but our horse was beaten by a better filly."
WATCH: Winx's win
Jockey Oisin Murphy echoed those sentiments and paid tribute to both the training performance of Waller and the ride of rival Hugh Bowman.
"It was a big run and we've met a champion in Winx and she was very impressive today," Murphy said.
WATCH: Hear from the beaten jockeys