Star mare Winx has been included in the nominations for the 2017 Japan Cup that will be held in Tokyo on November 26.
Winx has been included in the 2017 Japan Cup nominations. Photo by: Ultimate Racing Photos
A third straight win in the Ladbrokes Cox Plate at The Valley on October 28 is the short-term focus for Winx, but trainer Chris Waller is keeping his options open with the equine superstar.
Waller has confirmed that it is highly unlikely that Winx will make the trip to Japan, but just the form of Winx meeting some of the best horses in the world in the Japan Cup is enough to get the majority of horse racing fans salivating.
The Japan Cup offers over $3.5 million in prizemoney and Winx will be eligible for a prize money boost of $2,000,000 if she is successful in the Ladbrokes Cox Plate, but that is unlikely to be a selling point for her connections.
The only other local galloper that has been included in the Japan Cup nominations is ATC St Leger winner Big Duke, while the Murray Baker-trained duo of Bonneval and Jon Snow have also been included in the initial entries.
Other notable horses that have been included in the international 2017 Japan Cup nominations include Aidan O’Brien-trained Cliffs Of Moher, five-time Group 1 winner Highland Reel, 2015 Melbourne Cup runner-up Max Dynamite, Melbourne Cup contender Thomas Hobson, Caulfield Cup runner Wicklow Brave and early Melbourne Cup favourite Red Cardinal.
