Waller mares set for return bout at Flemington in 2025 Makybe Diva Stakes

Chris Waller is optimistic conditions will favour Via Sistina in this year’s Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m), unlike last year’s edition when hail and rain reduced Flemington to a heavy track.

The mare finished fifth in that race – her only unplaced run in Australia – but has since added to her tally of nine Group 1 victories and was named Australian Champion Racehorse of the Year. This time, Flemington is rated a Good 4 with mild weather expected on Saturday. “Last year there was a lot of hail, and I wouldn’t expect that again,” Waller said. “I remember seeing the track and it was covered in ice … she just never travelled. It was very unusual circumstances last year.”

Originally, Via Sistina was set for a trial on Tuesday, but the withdrawal of stablemate Treasurethe Moment from the Makybe Diva led to a slight change. Instead, she galloped left-handed at Rosehill before travelling to Melbourne midweek. “Nothing really changed, only we didn’t trial her on Tuesday and we were only trialling her because it was going to be four weeks between runs,” Waller said. “Now it’s only three weeks, so we galloped her left-handed at Rosehill on Tuesday. She’s come back in good shape and we’re looking forward to Saturday’s race at Flemington.”

Aeliana, who pushed Via Sistina in the Winx Stakes last start, is also engaged. The Carbine Club Stakes winner from last year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival worked at Flemington on Wednesday with stablemate Lazzura, who contests the Let’s Elope Stakes. “She’s a very good horse, how good we don’t know,” Waller said. “Saturday will be interesting. A mile second-up, she’s still probably a run away from her peak, which may not be until 2000 metres or 2000 metres plus. I couldn’t be happier with her. Her first-up run was terrific. She made Via Sistina stretch over the concluding stages.”

According to Waller, both mares will benefit from Saturday’s race as they continue towards middle-distance assignments. “They’re both peaking to get to their third and fourth runs at their top,” he said. “They’ll have tough runs if they’re fighting out the finish, but it’s not going to hurt them as they’re not at their best distances yet. Lining them up to get over 2000 metres, there is improvement to come and I’m happy to be lining them up against each other at a mile and obviously taking on better horses as well.”