Cox Plate winner Via Sistina will headline another star-studded barrier trial session at Warwick Farm as she moves a step closer to her campaign return.
The six-time Group 1 winner will step out in a 1000m Group Trial on the course proper on Thursday, alongside high-class stablemates Fangirl and Atishu, and Joe Pride’s Epsom Handicap and King Charles III Stakes winer Ceolwulf.
Waller will also trial exciting three-year-olds Lady Shenandoah, Aeliana and Gatsby’s in a separate 900m heat which includes his Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Switzerland.
With the exception of Aeliana, all will be having their second trials, the majority being prepared to resume at the Apollo Stakes meeting at Randwick on February 15.
“Via Sistina, Switzerland, Fangirl. Most of them will be trialing on Thursday,” Waller said of his stable big guns.
“They are all coming along well.”
Godolphin’s James Cummings will roll out two of his banner horses at the session in Golden Rose winner Broadsiding and Melbourne Cup fourth placegetter Zardozi, while Golden Mile makes his first public appearance as a gelding.
The 2022 Caulfield Guineas winner was retired to stud last year but suffered an injury in the breeding barn, prompting Godolphin to pull the pin on his stallion career and put him back into work.
The five-year-old hasn’t raced since finishing third to Antino in the Victory Stakes during the Brisbane carnival in May.
Pride has confirmed that Ceolwulf will kick off his preparation in the Apollo Stakes (1400m) next month, which is also the likely starting point for Via Sistina.
The trainer has also locked in the Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on March 1 and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at the same venue on April 12 for Ceolwulf but remains fluid on the remainder of the horse’s autumn program.
