Drenching rain throughout the day added to the drama of whether Winx would take her place in Saturday's Group I Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) at Randwick but
With Victoria Oaks heroine Lasqueti Spirit highballing it out in front, Hugh Bowman was happy to have Winx relaxed in midfield.
Peeling widest of all on the home turn, the daughter of Street Cry (IRE) strolled passed Hartnell to set out after Lasqueti Spirit who was giving a great sight for supporters who took the odds of $151.
But Winx is in a class of her own at the moment and she was not extended in the closing stages to win by two lengths from Lasqueti Spirit (Beneteau) with another length back to Who Shot Thebarman (Yamanin Vital). Hartnell weakened badly in the straight to finish a disappointing eighth. (photos Steve Hart)
In equalling the winning streaks of Bernborough and Carbine, Winx advances her overall record to 17 wins and 3 seconds from 25 starts with earnings of $9,846,925
Bowman did offer a word of caution.
"When I had the race won and stopped pushing her she really idled down so that's not really in her makeup and it's rare for her to do that," Bowman said.
"The last time she idled down was when on a really firm track at Caulfield.
"She got the job done but she is most effective on
Chris Waller said it was a relief that the champion seemed to handle the heavy ground.
"What can I say that I haven't already said," Waller said. "She's amazing.
"That was pretty special. It was different, completely different. That's more pressure than I've felt since the early days.
"It's good to know she handles a heavy track as a more mature horse because they can change as they get older.
"There's a good chance it could be wet during The Championships."
Winx will now head to Rosehill on Saturday week for the Group I George Ryder Stakes (1500m) before running in the $4 million Group I Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick three weeks later.
Bred by John Camilleri's Fairway Thoroughbreds, Winx was a $230,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Coolmore draft for Peter Tighe's Magic Bloodstock.
A half-sister to Group III Kindergarten Stakes winner El Divino, Winx is out of the Al Akbar mare Vegas Showgirl who has a 2yo colt by Snitzel that was purchased for $2,300,000 out of the Segenhoe Stud draft by Gai Waterhouse Racing / J Blaxland at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling sale.
Vegas Showgirl foaled a Snitzel filly on September 7 and was bred back to Exceed And Excel.
