Cox Plate winner Via Sistina returns at Warwick Farm
Via Sistina made her much-anticipated first public appearance of 2025 on Monday morning at Warwick Farm, showcasing her readiness for the upcoming autumn campaign despite being outperformed by two stablemates from the Chris Waller yard.
The Cox Plate winner participated in the second 900m trial for Group-class horses on a Heavy 8 track. This was her first outing since her dominant victory in the Champions Stakes.
In the trial, the Fastnet Rock mare settled third-last in a seven-horse field, making solid ground under a light ride from Damian Lane. She finished within 2-1/2 lengths of Delichy Boulevard, alongside runner-up and Flight Stakes winner Lady Shenandoah just 50m past the post.
Waller has penciled in one more trial for Via Sistina before her expected return at Randwick on February 15 in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m), a race he has previously won six times, three of those with Winx. The $5 million Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) on April 12 is her primary target for the season.
Monday’s trial also featured star four-year-old Ceolwulf, who had a light outing and finished fifth, 3-3/4 lengths behind the winner. Delichy Boulevard clocked a time of 56.16 seconds, which was 0.80 seconds slower than Glint Of Silver, the Group 2 winner who took out the first trial.
David Pfeiffer’s grey Glint Of Silver narrowly defeated Caulfield Guineas winner Private Life, who impressed with a stylish close. Linebacker, now gelded, finished third, 1-1/2 lengths behind Glint Of Silver, while Switzerland made a modest return following his Coolmore Stud Stakes victory, finishing fourth, beaten by 2-3/4 lengths.
The fastest of the three 900m heats was the third, where Lilac, trained by Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald, stormed to a six-length victory in 54.99 seconds. Second place went to Waller’s colt Gatsby’s, while Apollo Stakes winner Fangirl, along with stablemates Kinesiology and Valiant King, took an easy approach, finishing fifth, 12 lengths behind the winner.
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