Via Sistina survives scare from young gun in 2025 Winx Stakes

At Randwick, Via Sistina reaffirmed her standing as the queen of Australian racing, digging deep to repel stablemate Aeliana and claim her ninth Group 1 win in the Winx Stakes (1400m).

Returning for the first time since her Queen Elizabeth Stakes victory, the mare faced a searching test on the heavy ground. Aeliana surged alongside in the straight and threatened an upset, but Via Sistina summoned her trademark grit to edge clear by a neck.

The effort evoked memories for Chris Waller of the 2016 Warwick Stakes when Foxplay tested the great Winx. “It was almost a Foxplay moment, wasn’t it?” Waller said. “We’ve got a couple of decent mares on our hands.”

Waller admitted he had serious concerns about running on the heavy 10. Speaking candidly, he called for administrators to rest Sydney’s premier tracks in July to ensure horses emerge from races well. “These horses are worth so much money and the punters put so much into it week-in, week-out we’ve got to have the best surface. They need Via Sistina not just winning today, they need Via Sistina winning second up, third up, fourth up.”

The mare is again expected to follow a Cox Plate path, while Waller is confident Aeliana’s time will come. Sydney Cup winner Arapaho produced a bold third, with Ceolwulf rattling home for fourth and heading to the Chelmsford Stakes (1600m).

It was part of a remarkable treble for Waller and James McDonald, who earlier combined with Autumn Glow in the Toy Show Quality and Lazzura in the Show County Quality.