Via Sistina has won her 12th race at Group 1 level with a typically dominant performance, going back-to-back in the Group 1 Champions Stakes (2000m) at Flemington.
The heavy conditions didn’t faze the reigning Australian horse of the year, who tracked up three-wide with cover under James McDonald and put her rivals away in effortless fashion.
Sent around as the $1.80 favourite, Via Sistina came clear to win by 2-3/4 lengths ahead of surprise packet Zambardo ($14), who was officially rated 78 prior to Saturday, with Tom Kitten ($10) just edging out Pier ($7.50) for third.
Having won her second straight Group 1 W S Cox Plate (2040m) the start prior, Chris Waller said it was ‘awesome’ to see Via Sistina do her thing again as she nears the twilight of her career.
“She was tough today. She went back from the draw, James didn’t panic and it was awesome to see her in the straight,” Waller said.
Waller praised Yu Long Investments who brought Via Sistina to Australia in 2024, saying the day was a great spectacle for racing fans.
“They (Yu Long) are sportsmen, they love their racing. I knew not to ask because I knew they’d have liked her to race here. It was as simple as that,” Waller said.
“They have given the racing public something to cheer for and what a great day it’s been with Ceolwulf, Giga Kick and now Via Sistina. Three serious horses on an amazing day of racing.”
The win also marked another milestone for Waller and James McDonald, who notched up their 50th Group 1 winner as a combination.
“It is an honour to be working with him. It makes my job and possibly his job that little bit easier,” Waller said.
“There’s no pressure, no pre-race stress, and I didn’t even give any instructions.”
“He said ‘I’ll go and ride her like Hughie used to ride Winx’, best horse in the race, give her some clean air, and I said, ‘that sounds good to me.'”
McDonald said Via Sistina fully deserved her title of ‘champion’, praising Waller’s ability to have the eight-year-old mare peak once more.
“She deserves her champion status and I thought being a dual Cox Plate winner it’s very satisfying,” McDonald said.
“She sits alongside some of the greats that have ever graced our racetracks and I think she really deserves that because she’s been a long servant and a fantastic one at that.”
“Every time he says one is improving, it’s improving. He said that about Via today and he was spot on.”
