Waller proud as Champion mare Via Sistina back a winner
Chris Waller showing emotion is well established but what was new was a new record set with eleven victories in the Verry Elleegant Stakes as Via Sistina returned to the winners’ stall at Randwick.
For a man who has won 173 group one races, these wins are yet to become the norm for the training powerhouse Sydney-based New Zealander and surpassing Tommy Smith’s mark of ten wins in the Group 1 over 1600-metres formerly known as the Chipping Norton Stakes.
That was touching enough for Waller let along his star pair Via Sistina and Fangirl staging a stirring battle to the line.
“I knew it was going to be a battle of tactics, and James was concerned about the draw (barrier 8), in terms of where we would get to,” Waller said
“The track is racing pretty quick today and it ishard to make up a lot of ground so the last 200m I was proud, simple as that.
“Unfortunately there had to be a winner.”
Fangirl ($3.30) challenged Via Sistina ($1.60 favourite) in what for a moment looked like a repeat is the former’s win in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) a fortnight ago but it would the 2024 Cox Plate winner who scored by a neck-margin with Lindermann ($11) – a Waller stablemate – in third.
Waller said that the two mares’ paths will now split with Fangirl to run in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) and Via Sistina in the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) with both run on March 22 en-route to the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).
Recording his 111th win at the highest level, James Mcdonald was realistic as to whether the seven-year-old Via Sistina could maintain her level of performances ongoing.
“There’s no guarantees in racing, but she’s going to be awfully hard to beat, especially now that that second-up run is out of the way.” McDonald said.
“We all know what she can do third and fourth-up, and her big one is fourth-up, so that’s when she won her Cox Plate.
“Hopefully she can get somewhere near that. She probably won’t ever get near that again but at least she can get somewhere near that,” he added with reference to that Cox Plate win that rated 130 by Racing and Sports.
Via Sistina’s win occurred less than an hour after Waller and McDonald combined to win the Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m) with Lady Shenandoah.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...