James Mcdonald will be reunited with Via Sistina when the Cox Plate winner seeks redemption against classy stablemate Fangirl in this Saturday’s Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes at Randwick.
Via Sistina was ridden by Kerrin Mcevoy when a first-up third in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m), but regains McDonald for the first time since they teamed to win the Group 1 Champions Stakes at Flemington in November.
Trainer Chris Waller said the extra 200m of Saturday’s race will be of advantage to Via Sistina but thinks Fangirl gets one more chance to defeat Via Sistina before she gets to 2000m.
“She is going to be very hard to beat,” Waller said of Fangirl, who will again be ridden by Jason Collett.
“She is close to her peak second-up. She will be at her best.
“Fangirl is a sprinter/miler, Via Sistina is a mile/2000-metre horse.
“The faster they go the better Via Sistina will go, simple as that.
“We’re hoping for a little bit more speed and not getting stuck in on the fence. She will be close to her peak but obviously 2000 metres would be slightly preferred for her.”
Fangirl has drawn barrier five and Via Sistina gate eight in the Verry Elleegant Stakes, which has attracted a field of nine.
Waller also has Apollo Stakes runner-up Lindermann (barrier seven) and resuming stayer Land Legend (one) engaged in the Verry Elleegant Stakes with Joe Pride’s Ceolwulf (nine) likely to provide the stiffest opposition to the Waller army.
The Verry Elleegant Stakes is one of two Group 1s at Randwick on Saturday and Waller has five runners in the $750,000 Surround Stakes (1400m), including odds-on favourite Lady Shenandoah, who drew barrier three.
The Flight Stakes winner will be ridden by James McDonald with Autumn Glow not accepting for the race, in which Amelita (11), Delichy Boulevard (eight), Lazzura (one) and Kiwi Group 1 placegetter Movin’ Out (seven).
