Winx Stakes (Group 1)
HORSE of the Year in waiting, Via Sistina returned to the racetrack on Saturday to contest the first Group 1 of the season, the Winx Stakes over a heavy 1,400 metres at Randwick.
With regular jockey James McDonald up, the Irish-bred eight-year-old Fastnet Rock mare was aiming to win a fourth straight Group 1 and her ninth in total.
Rolling off the back of her stablemate Lindermann who led through the final bend, Via Sistina cruised to the lead 250 metres out from where she was asked to dig deep as another stablemate, the Castelvecchio filly Aeliana, pushed her right to the line, failing by a half-length.
The Lope De Vega gelding Arapaho held on for third, just ahead of Ceolwulf who flew from last on straightening to really catch the eye.
“Nice for her to come back as good as she left off last time,” said jockey James McDonald. “It worked out really well, I think. The deeper in her prep she goes, the better she will go.
“It’s good signs ahead that she has returned in such good order with great enthusiasm. But gee, the second horse (Aeliana) was great. I could see the shadow and I couldn’t think what it would be.
“I was thinking I have quickened up beautifully and she gave me a hell of a fright. If I went another furlong I would still win by a neck anyway.”
Reaction
Bookmakers reacted to the result by tightening Via Sistina to A$2.20 for the Cox Plate, the last at this current version of Moonee Valley before the course is rebuilt and reshaped, with the 2026 Cox Plate to be run at Flemington.
“We will give Via Sistina three or four days out at the farm, and see how she comes through this race,” said Chris Waller who outlined that she would follow a similar path to last year.
“Then we will plot her path towards the Cox Plate. It’s great to see her back winning. She is probably 20kg heavier and looks better.”
Autumn glows in the Toy Show
THE Chris Waller-trained Autumn Glow has maintained her unbeaten record, winning her fifth race in the Group 3 Darley Toy Show Quality, for fillies and mares, at Randwick over 1,100 metres on Saturday, her first start since March.
The A$1.50 favourite was made to work for her victory after the Written Tycoon filly Gangsta Granny broke clear half way down the straight as The Autumn Sun filly struggled to find clear galloping room.
Stride
Once into her stride, jockey James McDonald had the four-year-old in front with 50 metres to go, defeating Gangsta Granny as the Highland Reel mare Hi Dubai claimed third.
“She is ticking every single box, and we are trying to learn as we go,” said Waller. “We are going to take her home. I’ll have a talk to the owners, Hermitage and Arrowfield and see what they think and have my five cents worth. To me she is a natural miler and that would be a safe bet.”
Waller indicated the 1,300 metres of the Group 2 Theo Marks Stakes in three weeks time is the next likely option for Autumn Glow.
TO cap a near perfect day for Chris Waller and James McDonald, the pair made it a group winning treble in consecutive races after McDonald guided the Snitzel mare Lazzura home in the Group 3 Show County Quality.
Last on the bend in a compact field, Lazzura relished the heavy ground to slice through the middle of the field and win with ease on the line.
“She is a star,” said McDonald. “She gave me a beautiful ride. Left the gates a little bit awkwardly.
“Got back and thought they didn’t really go a gallop. Thought she would have to be extremely good to win but she was that.
“She is pretty quick. For her to rattle off sectionals like she has today off a slow tempo is a testament to her ability but also how quick she is. She has plenty of pace.”
THE 2024 Golden Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot, whose most recent start was a third in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic, will miss the spring in order to focus on Royal Ascot. “Lady Of Camelot has had a lot of racing and we just felt giving her a good break is the right thing to do with her long-term,” said Gai Waterhouse.
“Her owner, Sir Owen (Glenn) is very keen to take Lady Of Camelot to Royal Ascot next year so she will miss the spring and concentrate on the autumn carnival before going to England.”
The four-year-old Written Tycoon filly has started 13 times for two wins and eight placings.