Waller stars clash again in the G1 Verry Elleegant Stakes
James McDonald is set to reunite with Cox Plate winner Via Sistina in Saturday’s Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes at Randwick, where she will attempt to turn the tables on her talented stablemate Fangirl.
After finishing third in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) under Kerrin McEvoy, Via Sistina will now have McDonald back on board, marking their first partnership since winning the Group 1 Champions Stakes at Flemington.
Trainer Chris Waller believes the extra 200m will be an advantage for Via Sistina, though he expects Fangirl to be at her peak for this race.
“Fangirl is always strong second-up and should be very competitive,” Waller said. “She’s more of a sprinter-miler, while Via Sistina is suited to races up to 2000m.”
“If they set a strong pace, Via Sistina will benefit, but at this stage, Fangirl might still have the edge.”
Fangirl has drawn barrier five, while Via Sistina will start from gate eight in a nine-horse field. Waller also has Lindermann (barrier seven) and first-up stayer Land Legend (barrier one) representing his stable, with Joe Pride’s Ceolwulf (barrier nine) expected to provide strong competition.
The Verry Elleegant Stakes is one of two Group 1 features at Randwick this weekend, with Waller also fielding five runners in the $750,000 Surround Stakes (1400m). Lady Shenandoah, the odds-on favorite, will break from barrier three with James McDonald aboard.
Waller’s remaining entries include Amelita (barrier 11), Delichy Boulevard (barrier eight), Lazzura (barrier one), and Movin’ Out (barrier seven), a proven performer at the Group 1 level in New Zealand.
More Racing News
War Machine to target the 2026 Australia Stakes
Top-class sprinter War Machine will resume in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Pakenham on Friday night as connections eye a strong autumn campaign. The race, traditionally held at Moonee Valley, has been moved due to redevelopment works and shapes as an ideal launchpad for the Lindsay Park galloper. War Machine...
2026 Golden Slipper Stakes favourite Incognito nearing return to the races
The absence of Incognito from the Magic Millions 2YO Classic did little to dent his standing in Golden Slipper markets, with the colt edging closer to a raceday return. Michael Freedman elected to sidestep the Gold Coast feature with the $1 million purchase, instead opting for a controlled trial as the...
Antino to target 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the Autumn
A strong trial session at Deagon on Tuesday will be highlighted by the return of Antino as Tony Gollan begins plotting another autumn campaign for the talented gelding. Antino has not raced since his disappointing effort in the Group 1 Cox Plate, where he finished last after failing to fire on...
Torque To Be Sure breaks maiden in 2026 Magic Millions Guineas, survives protest
Torque To Be Sure finally lived up to his promise with a breakthrough victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 3yo Guineas, though his success came with a nervous wait in the stewards’ room. The Matthew Dunn-trained gelding drifted under pressure in the closing stages, bumping race favourite Ninja as the...
Big Sky surges into 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes calculations
Big Sky’s dominant debut at Flemington has propelled him straight into calculations for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), giving Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr the top two runners in early betting. The Bivouac colt overcame a wide draw in the TAB We’re On (1000m), travelling strongly under Jordan...
Future History too strong in the 2026 January Cup
Future History showed his class and toughness when landing the $200,000 Listed January Cup at Rosehill, giving Ciaron Maher another feature race success. The eight-year-old almost didn’t take his place in the race after heavy rain downgraded the track, but connections elected to press on despite concerns about the conditions. Ridden positively...
Mile no issue for Merrigold in 2026 Vobis Gold Distaff
Trainer John Sadler admitted a touch of stubbornness delayed Merrigold’s step up to 1600 metres, but the mare made him look wise with a dominant Flemington victory. The five-year-old was having her first start beyond 1400 metres and handled the rise in distance with ease when taking out the Vobis Gold...
Golden Slipper Stakes 2026 plans for Godolphin’s Outspan
The Godolphin-trained Outspan has thrust himself into Golden Slipper calculations after a commanding win at Rosehill on Saturday. After settling just behind the speed in the 1100m contest, the Michael Freedman-trained colt finished strongly to defeat Long Throw ($15) by 1-1/2 lengths, with Miss Chanel ($4.60) another half-length back. The performance marked...
Unit Five powers home in the 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Unit Five announced himself as a rising star with a powerful victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, overcoming far more seasoned rivals despite limited race experience. The Ciaron Maher-trained colt, ridden confidently by Thomas Stockdale, held off Tornado Valley by a length, with By Choice finishing just behind...
Tony Gollan’s two-year-old Itching To Go in 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Tony Gollan is leaning on a proven strategy as Itchintogo lines up on a seven-day backup in the Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) this Saturday. The approach has delivered strong results historically, with six winners of the $3 million race following the same path over the past 15 years. Purchased for $60,000...