Magical morning with Winx gives fans a chance to get to know the wondermare

They call it Breakfast with the Best but, while 49 horses were involved, the thousand or so in attendance were there to see one horse – and she definitely is the best.

The opportunity to watch Winx work is a rare one for all but a handful of Melburnians and when the star on show is four days away from equine immortality, even a 6am start is not enough to stop them turning out in their droves to watch the wondermare work.

Even if you have never seen Winx before, she is easily identifiable. Hers was the saddling box with a crowd ten deep. As she stood there, quiet as a lamb while her grooms got her ready, she was of vastly more interest than anything else going on. The opportunity to get so close, to look greatness in the eye, and feel not just her aura but the excitement she creates was truly magical.

Wherever she went, the crowd followed. Her part-owner Debbie Kepitis likened it to Tiger Woods on the golf course and she certainly walked with that champion's swagger.

The Moonee Valley track is her domain. She is fantastic everywhere but this place brings out the best in her and as she trotted down to the Cox Plate start the place fell silent. One thousand people watching one horse.

She broke into a canter at the winning post and from the 1,200m Bowman began to let out some rein, working the bend and slingshotting into the straight before blasting past the grandstand and disappearing to the end of the the racecourse side. It was flashy, it was powerful, but it was controlled. It was a display dripping in 'just you wait' assurance.

There is a feeling of intimacy when watching a horse work by themselves, but what did the man who knows her most intimately in those peak moments make of it all?

Speaking after Winx drew barrier six for the AUD$5 million Ladbrokes Cox Plate, Hugh Bowan said: "She felt fantastic. She felt as good as she looked, feels really strong and loves being here as we all know. We're really happy with the way she is, which helps.

"She's very uncomplicated, and I'll tell you what, I loved this morning. When I cantered in front of the crowd she was very relaxed. If she was above herself she would have jumped straight on the bridle and tried to take off down the hill before I was ready.

"When we got to the 1,200m mark she knew what that meant and she took me quicker before I let her. She's a very intelligent individual and she loves it here at Moonee Valley, I think she knows the track better than I do.

"She's a real athlete and a very strong horse, but it's controlled power and I just try and save it for the race day."

Bowman revealed she did her last serious piece of work on Saturday and added: "We worked at Flemington and I let her really use herself through the line. This morning with the crowd and the nervous energy Chris and I didn't think she needed to do as much so from the 1,200m we went three-quarter pace.

"From the 600 she wanted to increase it but I just held her back until close to the 400m mark and I let her really increase. I'd say she increased four to five lengths in a couple of strides. It's something I've learned to feel, how much she's quickening, it's something I couldn't really feel that early on in her career.

"I let her really use herself around the corner and once she balanced up I took a hold of her and let her coast to the line because it's not race day today. She did a nice piece of work, it was very strong, but not as strong as Saturday morning and she'll do a light piece of work on Thursday before we come here for the big day."

Asked to compare the seven-year-old Winx, now a veteran of 28 consecutive wins and 21 Group 1s, with younger versions he said: "I think she's a little bit more sensible within herself, she's not as hyperactive so to speak. I think she's a bit stronger physically. Is she better? It's very hard to judge but she certainly hasn't gone backwards. I'm a little more comfortable this year than I was last year."

But it was not just Bowman and Waller on hand, all of team Winx were present including co-owner Debbie Kepitis and her daughter Lara, who had to take the day off school – she is a teacher not a student. The two Kepitis ladies were in riotously good form and shared an insight into what the horse many believe is already Australia's greatest is like off the track. And it might surprise you.

Asked what Winx would say if she could talk, Lara laughingly said: "I really don't think she could say it on camera!" Debbie added: "I think she knows how good she is but she'd be humble about it."

"She doesn't really like seeing me very much, she goes to the back of her stall and all I get to see is her good behind. She's got a bit of sass to her," Lara said, while adding carrots and apples are just about the only thing Winx will entertain outside of her normal feed and hay.

Mother Debbie added: "She's got a kind nature, she's not nasty which is good. A lot of really good mares are nasty because they've got to have a bit of grunt to them. She only let's you do what she wants you to do."

The two ladies are enthralled by their equine love. "The sound from this morning was amazing, it was quiet and all you could here were her hooves," said Lara.

Debbie added: "There were thousands of people and yet silence, you could hear her feet hit the ground."

It is called Breakfast with the Best and to get up close and personal with Winx, see her majestic stride and get a better feel of her as an animal, is indeed the best feeling.

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