Source: Matt Jones – Daily Telegraph /

But Hugh Bowman’s confidence on Winx took a hit for a moment on Saturday at Royal Randwick before she powered to a record 26th-straight win.

The champion, who was trying to win her own race, the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) had to make up six lengths on the field as she approached the home turn.

And when Kementari, who some thought may give her a real test, went with her as they got to the 450m mark Bowman admitted her was a little worried.

“It’s been a while since she has run over this distance. It is a bit short of her best distance. Glyn Schofield (Kementari) and I came around the corner together and I thought I was near my top,” he said. “She was struggling at the pace of this distance. When she balanced up and saw the winning post … what can I say, she is incredible.”

Schofield said he could hear the Randwick crowd, of more than 12,000, over the final 200m as the champ cleared the field.

Bowman, a lover of all sports, took it all in as he was coming back to scale

“You see the crowd building from the start of the day,” he said. “There are lots of children here and that’s what I love the most.”

“Parents are bringing their kids out to see a horse of the calibre we may never see again,” Bowman said. “They only come along once in a generation. She is such a special athlete. I’m lost for words. I am so proud of her.”

Winx stood in the gates relaxed and settled then jumped well.

I got the back on Kementari which is what I hoped would have happened and then the pace wasn’t as quick as I expected but I was travelling very nicely.

I had D’argento, who was probably one of my other main dangers, to my outside and the pace steadied and D’argento increased forward of Kementari so I took the opportunity to come out and follow him.

I then had Kementari locked away and I had cover.

Glyn Schofield (on Kementari) could see himself in an awkward position so he eased and came out which pushed me out without cover.

My horse, Winx, laboured for a bit at that stage and I knew it was something she had done in her races in the past over 1400m.

So I decided to come out further to let Glyn come out on Kementari hoping he would increase into the race and Winx would move with him and they could go together rather than try and push and shove.

The both of us laboured for 50m to 100m and then I thought ‘maybe she’s just not going to do it’ but then she balanced up and dropped Kementari.

I still had four lengths to make up on the leading group and they weren’t stopping so I decided to pull the whip though to remind her but when I did that she went from three behind to a length in front and the crowd erupted.

It was just incredible. She is such a special athlete.