Showbiz guru Peter Ford says there was a big winner at Moonee Valley on Saturday and it had nothing to do with Winx or even betting.

Australian actor, singer and TV presenter, Hugh Sheridan, had been flown in from America to perform the national anthem prior to the Cox Plate but curiously did not end up singing.

“Technical issues” have reportedly been blamed.

“I’m only taking a stab, but his appearance fee would be between $25,000 and $50,000 plus costs,” Peter Ford said on 3AW Breakfast.

“And of course he didn’t get to do it.

“There already seems to be a plan in place that he’ll come back next year – so he’s got another gig out of it, as well.

“They would have had to pay him, obviously, (because) there’s no suggestion he wasn’t able to deliver his part of the bargain.”

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