Chris Waller insists the result of Winx’s tilt at a fourth Cox Plate will shape his and the owners’ thinking about when to retire the world’s best horse.

Australia’s premier group 1 trainer dropped the strongest hint yet that retirement is still an option after Winx tries to etch her name into racing folklore as the only horse to win the Cox Plate four times.

While connections have been at pains to point out no decision has been made about Winx’s future – or even barely been discussed, a Makybe Diva-like exit at the top of the mountain is not out of the picture after the $5 million race.

Trainer Lee Freedman and owner Tony Santic retired the three-time Melbourne Cup winner on the spot at Flemington after the last of her two-mile triumphs, a path Winx’s owners are not expected to pursue at Moonee Valley.

But speaking to Channel Nine’s Today show on Thursday, Waller said there will be very careful consideration given to both forging on beyond the Cox Plate and pulling the pin after Winx chases a 29th straight success.