Cox Honoured as Bet N Win Aces Aussie Debut

The late Katie Cox was honoured when Bet N Win extended his winning streak in the A$26,000 Listed The Stellar Square (2138m) at Albion Park on Saturday night.

Driver Bob Butt wore a black armband in remembrance of Cox, who passed away last week following a courageous battle with lung cancer.

Trainers David and Stacey White had a lengthy association with Cox and were thrilled to be able to honour the trainer-driver, who will be remembered as a talented horsewoman respected by her peers, as well as a kind and friendly industry member.

“To be able to do it wearing the armband for Katie was special,” David White said.

“Stacey and I both had a lot to do with her and she was just a wonderful person.

“It was great to be able to honour her like that.”

Bet N Win copped a check amid the leader and parked horse galloping with just over a lap to go in Saturday night’s feature.

White credited Butt for manoeuvring his charge through the chaos and keeping Bet N Win balanced.

“There were a few nervous moments there, but it was a good bit of horsemanship by Bob to get him around that and keep him in his gait,” White said.

Butt admitted chasing down the leader Rockinwithattitude (AUS) looked a big ask after his horse had sat parked throughout The Stellar Square.

Though when asked for his best effort, Bet N Win put paid to his rivals with pure class.

“It was a bit a rough old go that first lap, but credit to the horse, he just flopped along sitting outside them,” Butt said.

“It felt like the leader was going better than me, but once I clicked him up he found another gear and away he went.”

Running to his fifth-straight win and his first in Australia shows Bet N Win is right on track for his tilt at the A$150,000 Group One The Great Square (2138m) at Albion Park this weekend.

Bet N Win is raced by a big group of owners following his purchase by David White for $32,500 from breeder-vendors Breckon Farms at the 2021 National Yearling Sales at Karaka.

Saturday night’s racing marked the second night of the lucrative Queensland Constellations Carnival.

New Zealand-breds dominated the programme, winning seven of ten races.

Among those to produce stellar victories were NZB Standardbred graduates Aroda (NZ) (Art Major) and Rocknroll Hammer (NZ) (A Rocknroll Dance).

Photo : Dan Costello