Much of the racing world’s attention has been in the Southern Hemisphere this week, with ITV’s Matt Chapman causing a bit of a ruckus with the locals in Australia. His comments about Winx, the horse who is bidding for a fourth Cox Plate victory, suggested that she had not beat much so far. It drew a mixed response, with a few nods from European punters who agreed with Chapman set amongst thousands of angry Australian racing fans who vehemently disagreed. Winx’s trainer Chris Waller branded Chapman, “a dickhead”. Anyone familiar with Chapman knows he likes to stir things up, he wants to create debate and interest. By poking the beast he actually raised a great question, has she beaten much?

Well, sorry Chappers, but she’s beaten winners of 67 Group 1 races. Her winning streak against the best that Australia can throw her way is a ludicrous 28 straight victories. The bookies have her as the 2/9 favourite.

Benbatl and Humidor are probably the only two who stand a chance of causing an upset. Saeed Bin Suroor’s Benbatl has progressed this year from perhaps a Group 3 horse to a genuine Group 1 contender. He’s won three times at the highest level including a narrow win in the Ladbrokes Stakes at Caulfield last time out. Humidor was runner-up to Winx in last year’s Cox Plate and third behind Benbatl most recently, so he could be in the mix again. Are either of them better than Winx? No. Winx all the way.

On UK soil,  the Vertem Futurity Trophy (was the Racing Post Trophy), is the highlight of the weekend. Aidan O’Brien has won Doncaster’s prestigious Flat calendar closer a total of eight times before, and he has the favourite this time with Magna Grecia. I suspect he is an out-and-out miler, so I would expect his Guineas price to shrink if he wins. He’s currently a top price 20/1 for next year’s Newmarket Classic. He ran well enough in a Group 3 at that track last time and I’d be optimistic he will improve again in this, given this is only his third start.

At long odds, Kuwait Currency may also still be improving and 25/1 may underestimate him for a speculative each-way. Turgenev looks the most interesting one to take on the market leader. John Gosden’s son of Dubawi has won his last two starts and on debut he was only behind Royal Marine who has since won a Group 1 in France. John Gosden has swept up a lot of good races this season and given the yard’s red hot form, take 4/1 that Turgenev turns in a favourite-beating performance.