Today is a historic day for the Moonee Valley Racing Club as the Club looks to celebrate the 100th running of the W.S. Cox Plate – ‘The Race Where Legends Are Made’. First run in 1922, the W. S. Cox Plate is Australia’s greatest race, and boasts an illustrious honour roll of past champions, with a new name to be added at 4.15pm today with the running of the 2020 Ladbrokes Cox Plate.
In recognition of this historic milestone, the MVRC, in partnership with the Victorian State Government and Racing Victoria, has today unveiled a magnificent bronze statue of the greatest of our Cox Plate legends – Winx – titled WINX 4. Acclaimed Melbourne artist Louis Laumen was commissioned to capture the iconic image of Winx and Hugh as they crossed the finishing line in their fourth Cox Plate victory in 2018.
The 1:25 life size statue, weighing 1.5 tonne, took over 20 months to complete and has been set on a bluestone pedestal in the newly created Tote Park, which will be the centrepiece of the Moonee Valley Park development in years to come. WINX 4 will take pride of place at the entrance of The Valley, welcoming all visitors for generations to come.
“It was only fitting to launch Ladbrokes Cox Plate 100 with a tribute to the greatest Cox Plate champion of all time in Winx,” said Don Casboult, MVRC Chairman.
“This mare captured the hearts of our nation and bestowed so many wonderful memories with her historic four consecutive Cox Plate wins.
“I would like to thank the Minister of Racing, Martin Pakula and Brian Kruger, Chairman of Racing Victoria for their support in bringing this project to life.
“I thank all connections of Winx for sharing their champion with us. We will forever feel a deep love and affinity for Winx here at The Valley and we will continue to share the wonderful memories that we have all developed throughout her incredible career.”
Owners Peter and Patty Tighe, Debbie and Paul Kepitis, and Richard Treweeke and jockey Hugh Bowman have been involved in the statue making process from the beginning. Permission was given to measure Winx for the statue shortly after she finished racing to ensure her best racing form was captured. Hugh Bowman was also measured from top to toe for the statue.
Sadly, due to the COVID restrictions, the owners and trainer Chris Waller couldn’t join the official unveiling ceremony however did view the event via video link along with the The Hon Martin Pakula MP, Minister for Racing.
WINX 4 was unveiled by MVRC Chairman Don Casboult, Racing Victoria Chairman Brian Kruger and champion jockey Hugh Bowman this morning.