"Great horses have great associations with jockeys – Vo Rogue and Cyril Small, Kingston Town and Malcolm Johnston, Tom Queally and Frankel, Luke Nolen and Black Caviar," Waller said.

"You can't have a horse like Winx without having a Hugh Bowman.

"He is so important and we just saw why."

Once again Winx was tested in Saturday's Chelmsford Stakes at Randwick. More than tested - stretched - but the result was the same as had been for her last 18 runs - victory.

"I was looking at the leader at the halfway point thinking, 'You need to get going', but I don't need to worry about that because Hugh knew," Waller said.

"He takes chance out of the equation."

This was a Bowman masterpiece as much as another show of the incredible engine of Winx.

"That's why he is the best," owner Peter Tighe said. "And she is as well."

Bowman's timing and belief in Winx shone as he picked off runaway leader Red Excitement in final 50m and did it without his whip from the 250m. In the end the margin was a length, even as Bowman sat up, which looks comfortable on paper.

"I was more worried this week than last time," Bowman admitted.

Red Excitement, with Josh Parr in the saddle, was a dozen lengths in front of Winx, who was midfield at 800m when Bowman made his move.

It was still 10 lengths at the 600m, then six lengths on the turn, three lengths at 200m, and two lengths at 100m.

Bowman got the chase just right.

"I knew I had to get going early because that horse was going to come back," Bowman said. "I went before I wanted to because if I didn't the race would have been over before the turn.

"Real good horses wouldn't have won. She is much better than that – she's just incredible.

"When I got going before the 800m I look up and thought, 'Jeez, that is a long way to make up’.”