Chris Waller could not have described the final Cox Plate on the soon to be rebuilt Moonee Valley racecourse any better.
“It was a classic Cox Plate,” Waller said moments after watching Via Sistina hold off stablemate Buckaroo to win the 105th and final Cox Plate before the Moonee Valley racecourse is transformed and reconfigured.
Saturday’s victory in the Cox Plate (2040m) was the second for Via Sistina after her record-breaking romp 12 months earlier where she scored by eight lengths in track record time.
This time the champion mare had to call on all her reserves to hold off her stablemate and provide jockey James McDonald his fourth Cox Plate in succession and the sixth victory in Australia’s weight-for-age championship for Waller.
Sent out the $2.25 favourite, Via Sistina scored by a half-head from Buckaroo ($16) with Treasurethe Moment ($5.50) a further 1-½ lengths away third.
“It was a great race. A classic Cox Plate,” Waller said.
“James had to get going early and everyone could see him. He was five wide turning for home.
“She was great and Treasurethe Moment was awesome and gave her something to chase.
“And Buckaroo that was… I’m glad Via won and Buckaroo, he’s run out of his skin.”
Waller said joining Jack Holt on six victories and being one shy of Tommy Smith would not replace his first win with Winx back in 2014, saying the first one was special, while the rest are bonuses.
He said the bond between McDonald and Via Sistina has been ongoing with the jockey going out of his way in his preparation of the mare.
And an emotional Waller paid tribute to his entire staff who look after the horses while he is away interstate preparing his team for big race days.
“It’s confidence,” Waller said of the Via Sistina and McDonald’s relationship.
“James works months on this. He’s loyal, so dedicated. He’s only had eyes for Via Sistina and set everything at this race for her and Buckaroo almost undid it.
“Candice and Sebastian, they look after her. They have come down from Sydney. There is other staff also. I’m so proud of them all (patting his chest).”
McDonald said he could now comprehend the pressure Hugh Bowman went through on scoring aboard Winx four years on the trot.
After scoring on Anamoe in 2022, McDonald went on to take the race with Romantic Warrior (2023) before Via Sistina in the last two years.
“I’m always toey in terms of nervous energy but I put it to good use,” McDonald said.
“I suppose that is part of the business where we’re riding the best horse in Australia, but God, how did Hughey do it with Winx?
“I’m so proud of her.
“She deserves to be in the same breath as Sunline and those sort of horses with two Cox Plates.
“And you know what, I’m just rapt that it was a proper run Cox Plate.
“That’s what Cox Plates are all about. Best horse shone through, and she deserves all she gets.”
Next year the Cox Plate moves to Flemington while Moonee Valley undergoes its rebuild.
McDonald said it will be sad that the Cox Plate won’t be run at The Valley in its current form going forward.
“But in saying that the Cox Plate is still on and it is going to be run and won,” McDonald said.
“I just hope I’m on as good a mare as I was today to ride in the race next year.
“There’s just so many sentimental things. The last Valley under this circumference, four-in-a-row, three champion racehorses.
“God I’m blessed. I’m so lucky.”
