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
Extragalactic's Flemington mission in McEwen Stakes
While many in the racing world will lament the closure of the old Moonee Valley track, trainer Trent Edmonds isn't lamenting the timing of its renovation.This Saturday marks the first Cox Plate meeting to be held away from 'The Valley', and Edmonds is set to be at Flemington with Extragalactic,...
Blind Raise's faith rewarded with Cox Plate start
Trent Busuttin is aware that if the primary goal was to secure a Group 1 victory, the more prudent strategy would be to send Blind Raise to Sydney for this Saturday's Spring Champion Stakes.Nevertheless, he also recognises that the type of opportunity that has arisen this year is not a...
Caulfield Cup fall victim Half Yours is back home and doing well
Good news has emerged regarding the riders involved in the Caulfield Cup, with the Victorian Jockeys Association reporting both have been discharged from hospital.Mark Zahra and Jye McNeil were transported to the Alfred Hospital after a dramatic fall during the Caulfield Cup on Saturday.The sequence of events saw Half Yours,...
Mr Brightside's Flemington Mile participation uncertain
The Lindsay Park training outfit, comprising Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, will hold off on confirming Mr Brightside's start at Flemington until the acceptance stage.Mr Brightside is expected to be nominated for the Group 2 Kia Ora Stud Mile (1600m) this Saturday, though Ben Hayes indicated he is only...
Warwoven's Cox Plate Prospects to be Decided by King's Ride
Melbourne's racing scene is abuzz as Sydney jockey Rachel King prepares to reunite with Warwoven for a crucial track gallop. This workout is designed to give the final go-ahead for the Bjorn Baker-trained colt's potential entry into the esteemed Cox Plate at Flemington.King, who celebrated a Caulfield Guineas victory aboard...
Infancy's The Invitation prospects while in foal
Dual stakes winner Infancy is eagerly awaiting a potential start in the $2 million The Invitation at Randwick, a race that could significantly boost her career accolades before she transitions to her role as a broodmare.The six-year-old mare has recently been served by the promising young sire Anamoe. Her trainer,...
Tempted claims The Everest crown in thrilling renewal
The tenth running of The Everest delivered a familiar outcome at the top but with a new champion crowned, as Tempted outdueled Ka Ying Rising before a record-breaking crowd of 52,110.For trainer Ciaron Maher, this victory represents his second success in The Everest, building on Bella Nipotina's triumph in 2024....
Autumn Glow's flawless Sydney spring culminates in King Charles triumph
Autumn Glow smoothly assumed the lead in the prestigious Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) as the field turned for home, just as Ceolwulf began to mount a challenge.Trainer Chris Waller reportedly turned to jockey Darren Beadman and inquired, "Are we in trouble?" Beadman's swift reply was,...
Gavin Bedggood celebrates biggest win as Kingswood triumphs in Caulfield Cup
Trainer Gavin Bedggood has achieved his career-defining success with Kingswood winning the Caulfield Cup.The Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday was claimed by the UK-bred import Kingswood, marking Bedggood's most significant achievement, eclipsing his previous best in the 2024 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.Bedggood, who was a proficient jumps...
Apocalyptic finds her best form in the Silver Eagle
While it was a supporting event on The Everest undercard, Apocalyptic's triumphant return to the winner's circle on Saturday was a considerable achievement for trainer Michael Freedman and jockey Tommy Berry.The mare, a Group 1 victor of last year's Flight Stakes, had been underperforming in the autumn and her initial...