When Hugh Bowman made his move, everybody knew.
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The Dunedoo jockey got to savour another moment only few can dream of on Saturday, as he piloted champion mare Winx to a record-equalling 25th straight win.
Some tipsters labelled Winx vulnerable in Saturday’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes but she proved anything but, as Bowman wheeled her to the outside at the top of the bend as he has so many times before and then everyone knew what would happen next.
She seemingly had work to do in the straight but when Bowman asked the question she responded in the most emphatic of fashions and went on to win by three-and-three-quarter lengths from Gailo Chop, while Happy Clapper was third.
Although she dominated the market at $1.24, she was as short as $1.15 earlier in the week, prompting concern from some punters.
But Bowman, who showed plenty of emotion post-race, wasn’t in doubt and was delighted with yet another win aboard the Chris Waller-trained superstar.
“I gave her a squeeze at the 300m, we saved that for race day," Bowman said post-race.
“I heard the crowd as we went. It is a bit of a blur after that, it is hard to know how quick she went.
“It is amazing really.”
Winx has now won more than 19 million in prizemoney after what was her eighteenth group 1 victory on Saturday.
“She’s just an exceptional athlete, she creates so much attention. I’m just so elated. I'm so proud of her and I'm just so proud to be a part of it,” Bowman said.
"There's so many cogs to the wheel and I know I get the dream ride here today.
"God forbid if something went wrong it wouldn't be a good place to be, but she's so exceptional, she is able to overcome everything and what a pleasure she is for sport.
"I know I've got the engine to round them up, but I can't do it on my own.
"The bottom line is she's got lengths on her rivals. It makes it easy for me.”
The win equalled the mark of 25 straight wins recorded by the great Black Caviar, trained by Peter Moody.
Many predicted a run like that would not be seen again but Winx is seemingly set to break the record, only a handful of years later.
“How the hell does any horse win 25 in a row,” Waller said.
“We will never know how good she is because she just had the best horses in Australia take her on and beat them like that.
“We don’t need to take on the world, we know she is the best.”