Godolphin trainer Saeed Bin Suroor has confirmed that G1 Dubai Turf victor Benbatl is set to take on Aussie supermare Winx in the Cox Plate at Randwick Racecourse on October 27 in what looks set to be a mouthwatering renewal of the 10-furlong Group One event.
Winx, the seven-year-old who has captured the hearts and minds of the Australian public has won 31 of her 37 starts and captured her 27th victory in succession in the G1 Colgate Optic White Stakes at Randwick on September 15. The daughter of Street Cry is bidding to become the first horse to win four renewals of the Cox Plate, one of Australia's most prestigious races and the centrepiece of the Cox Plate Carnival at Moonee Valley Racecourse.
However, Winx has received criticism for the standard of horses she has beaten in recent times and Benbatl, officially rated 123, would the second highest-rated horse ever to come and race in Australia. The beautifully bred four-year-old son of Dubawi is also out of Nahrain, a dual G1 winner and Benbatl has showed his talent on the racecourse to match his marvellous pedigree.
Bin Suroor's charge enjoyed a fruitful time of things in Dubai during the winter, registering three Graded victories from four starts, which culminated in a facile win in the G1 Dubai Turf at Meydan on Dubai World Cup night.
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The imposing colt was a bitterly disappointing tenth in his first start of the season in Britain when the well-backed 11/4 favourite for the G1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot over a mile, but returned to form when landing a G1 in Munich, Germany in July under Oisin Murphy. Fifth in a messy renewal of the G1 Judmmonte International at York in August, won by Roaring Lion, who franked the form when scoring in the G1 Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown earlier this month, Benbatl will be one of Winx's stiffest tests to date.
Officially rated the world's best racehorse off a mark of 132, this will be one of the most fascinating battles to have taken place between an English and Aussie horse Down Under.
Explaining the decision, Bin Suroor, said: "Benbatl will do the Caulfield Stakes, then the Cox Plate. It's a big race (Cox Plate) and she is the best filly in Australian history and it will be hard to beat her.
"We are taking a good horse from England, though, and we will see how we go.
"It would mean a lot if we beat Winx. I have a lot of respect for her, and for her trainer and jockey. Our horse is doing good. If we win it will be great, but if she wins she is the best."
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