James McDonald and Chris Waller celebrated a major milestone at Flemington on Saturday, securing their 50th Group 1 victory together courtesy of another dominant display from Via Sistina in the Group 1 Champions Stakes.
The daughter of Fastnet Rock, sent out a $1.70 favourite despite heavy conditions, once again proved her class. McDonald had her travelling smoothly throughout before easing her into clear running at the top of the straight, and from there the result was never in doubt.
Zambardo ($16) and Tom Kitten ($9) attempted to make late ground, but neither threatened as Via Sistina powered clear to record her 10th Group 1 win under the McDonaldāWaller partnership.
Remarkably, a fifth of the pairās 50 elite-level successes have come with Via Sistina since her Australian debut in the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes last year.
āHe (Waller) has been a great supporter of mine and Iām happy to be a part of his team when you ride superstars like this, itās always a pleasure,ā McDonald said.
āHow good are they? They just prep them up beautifully, Waller and his team. She was cool today, real cool.
āHeās had my back from day dot and continuously has my back. We work wonderfully together and heās an absolute genius. I canāt put into words how good he is.
āHow he preps these horses up. Every time he says one is improving, it’s improving. He said that about Via today and he was spot on.ā
Waller said the confidence and trust between the pair continues to fuel success at the highest level.
āIt makes my job and possibly his job that little bit easier,ā Waller said.
āThereās no pressure, no pre-race stress, and I didnāt even give any instructions. He said, āIāll go and ride her like Hughie used to ride Winxā, the best horse in the race, give her some clean air.
āAnd I said, āthat sounds good to meā.
āHeās great to work with. Thatās a privilege in itself. The relationship works well. Thereās less pressure when you trust each other. Iād go to war with him, and heād do the same for me.ā
